Epidemics, Emotions, and Experts: Confidence in Physicians during Late Medieval and Early Modern Epidemics
2022
Abstract
The paper examines origin of anti-epidemic measures in late medieval and early modern period. The idea of contagious nature of epidemic diseases appeared in sources dating to 2nd half of the 14th century.
The first steps taken to curb the epidemics followed soon thereafter. These are the same measures we know so well from our current Covid-19 pandemic.
The paper also describes how were these steps received by the public. Lack of confidence in experts is nothing new - quite the opposite, history shows that it has always been frequent and deeply rooted phenomenon.