In the 1700s-1800s, dysentery was a disease causing many deaths, possibly including some of your ancestors or other relatives. In fact, in some areas in Sweden 90 percent of all deaths were due to dysentery during the worst outbreaks. A new doctoral thesis in history by a researcher at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, presents demographic and medical history of the disease.
Dysentery has almost disappeared in the Western world. Yet prior to the decline in infectious diseases among causes of death in the 1800s, dysentery was a major killer.
Dysentery has almost disappeared in the Western world. Yet prior to the decline in infectious diseases among causes of death in the 1800s, dysentery was a major killer.
You can read more about the study in Sweden in the ScienceDaily web site at http://goo.gl/5B8OQ. While this study focused only on Sweden, similar problems existed throughout Europe and North America.
My thanks to newsletter reader Paul Roberts for telling me about this article.
