GGRB28H3 Lecture 5: Lecture 5 Reading.doc
Document Summary
In 1931, henry sigerist wrote, most of the infectious diseases have now yielded up their secrets . Many illnesses had been completely exterminated; others had. [been brought] largely under control . " between 1940 and 1960, the development and successes of antibiotics and immunizations added to this optimism, and in 1969, Surgeon general william h. stewart told the united states congress that it was time to close the book on infectious diseases". Increasing emphasis was directed at the non-infectious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Often, research on infectious disease or activities on their prevention and control were de-emphasized and resources were reduced or eliminated. Pharmaceutical companies, believing that there were already enough antibiotics, began reducing the development of new drugs or redirecting it away from antibiotics. Optimism was soon shaken by a series of outbreaks and epidemics of new, re- emerging and antimicrobial resistant infections. Hiv, flesh-eating" bacteria and mad cow disease" (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)
