RT Journal
T1 THe evolution of diseases
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1936
FD May 23
VO 106
IS 21
SP 1812
OP 1812
DO 10.1001/jama.1936.02770210038015
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1936.02770210038015
AB The life history of a disease is often like that of a human being. Its weak or lusty infancy is at first greeted with mild speculation. As it gradually grows it develops the proportions of a young adult and abundant vigor. Finally, after varying periods of strength, the old age and decline of a disease may begin to occur. In some instances it finally disappears. Riesman1 has recently discussed a number of the dead or dying diseases. Among those which are no longer mentioned is the so-called sweating sickness, which apparently first appeared in England after the battle of Bosworth in 1485. It caused a short rigor followed by severe perspiration, headache, stupor and epigastric pains. The whole body was bathed with fetid perspiration. The crisis was over within the short space of forty-eight hours. Scarcely one in a hundred escaped. Several epidemics of this strange disease seem to