Epidemiology and Disease Transfer

Questions and Answers

Match the following causes with their effects on indigenous populations:

War = Increased exposure to diseases Famine = Decreased population numbers Forced migrations = Disruption of communities Old World diseases = High mortality rates

Match the following historical events with their descriptions:

Aztec society = Documented in General History of the Things of New Spain Smallpox epidemic = Major killer among indigenous populations Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún = Directed the documentation of Aztec culture Indigenous elders = Provided information about their society

Match the following terms with their relevance to population changes in the New World:

Exploitation = Forced labor of indigenous people Migration = Increase in non-indigenous populations Enslavement = Loss of autonomy for indigenous people Disease = Primary cause of population decline

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Old World diseases = Diseases brought from Europe to the Americas Forced migrations = Involuntary movement of people to new locations Mortality rates = Frequency of deaths in a population Indigenous populations = Native peoples of the New World</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their consequences:

<p>Exploitation = Devastation of indigenous communities Famine = Weakening of societal structures Warfare = Spread of infectious diseases Migration = Cultural disintegration of native groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Disease Transmission Across Continents

Diseases crossed the Atlantic, with notable speculation that syphilis originated in Europe.
Syphilis emerged in Italy in 1493, during a time of frequent warfare due to dynastic and religious conflicts.
The French invasion of Italy in 1494 led to syphilis being spread by soldiers, resulting in its label as the "Italian disease" and the "French pox" in different regions of Europe.
Other diseases, such as plague, smallpox, and influenza, were also spread by armies, migrants, and refugees.

Smallpox and Preventive Measures

Variolation, an early form of inoculation against smallpox, was introduced to England in 1721 by Lady Mary Wortley Montague.
Despite her advocacy, variolation faced suspicion and did not achieve widespread acceptance.
Smallpox outbreaks persisted globally, including in China, despite the potential for preventive measures.

Impact of Smallpox in Central Asia

The Qianlong Emperor of China (1735–96) launched military campaigns in Central Asia, aided by a smallpox epidemic that significantly reduced local populations.
The epidemic reportedly wiped out around 40% of the Zunghar khanate's population, facilitating Qing military operations.

Indigenous Populations and Disease

Indigenous peoples in the New World faced catastrophic population declines due to Old World diseases, alongside exploitation and forced migrations.
By 1650, indigenous populations in the New World remained the majority, but the combination of disease and migration changed demographics substantially over time.

Documentation of Aztec Society

"General History of the Things of New Spain" is a comprehensive 2,400-page chronicle documenting Aztec culture, created by indigenous authors under Franciscan supervision.
The work included traditional Aztec pictorial writing and expanded upon in the Nahuatl language using Latin letters.

Description

Explore the historical impacts of diseases that spread across the Atlantic, including the controversial theories surrounding the origins of syphilis. This quiz delves into the role of epidemiology in understanding these transfers and their implications on populations. Test your knowledge of disease history and its effects.