A Pest in the Land: New World Epidemics in a Global PerspectiveThis study of disease among the native peoples of the New World before and after 1492 challenges many widely held notions about encounters between European and native peoples. Whereas many late twentieth century scholars blamed the catastrophic decline of postconquest native populations on the introduction of previously unknown infections from the Old World, Alchon argues that the experiences of native peoples in the New World closely resembled those of other human populations. Exposure to lethal new infections resulted in rates of morbidity and mortality among native Americans comparable to tose found among Old World populations. Why then did native American populations decline by 75 to 90 percent in the century following contact with Europeans? Why did these populations fail to recover, in contrast to those of Africa, Asia, and Europe? Alchon points to the practices of European colonialism. Warfare and slavery increased mortality, and forced migrations undermined social, political, and economic institutions. This timely study effectively overturns the notion of New World exceptionalism. By showing that native Americans were not uniquely affected by European diseases, Alchon also undercuts the stereotypical notion of the Americas as a new Eden, free of disease and violence until the intrusion of germ-laden, rapacious Europeans. |
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... charge of the katun.57 Insufficient information prohibits a reliable diagnosis , but one author spec- ulates that this may be the same outbreak described years later by Bishop Landa . In that case , the symptoms included fever , body ...
... Charges were eventually filed against him , and he was found guilty of stealing money from the hospital , resulting in " very bad service and little care for the poor . " The ruling also noted that similar problems existed in other ...
... charges in their time of need.46 In most cases , before the twentieth century , basic nursing care com- bined with adequate food , water , and clean bedding were the most effec- tive measures available in both the Old World and the New ...
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A Pest in the Land: New World Epidemics in a Global Perspective Suzanne Austin Alchon Limited preview - 2003 |
A Pest in the Land: New World Epidemics in a Global Perspective Suzanne Austin Alchon Limited preview - 2003 |
A Pest in the Land: New World Epidemics in a Global Perspective Suzanne Austin Alchon Limited preview - 2003 |