Megan Mendillo

Disease and Discrimination

29 January 1999

Arno Karlen, author of the book Man and Microbes, presents a very thorough

and vivid history of disease throughout the world, from arthritis in

Neanderthal bones from 50,000 years ago to the AIDS epidemic of the

present day. Beginning with an explanation of the origins of the first

bacteria and parasites several billion years ago, Karlen describes some of

the theories concerning the evolution of these primitive organisms into

the diseases which continue to be manifest in our world today. He

presents theories about the survival and transmission of these microbes

from their original environments or hosts into human beings. Also

addressed is the Homo sapien's role in all of this-- a role which has been

integral to the evolutionary processes of both "man" and "microbes."

The intended audience of this book seems to be anyone with even

the slightest knowledge of biology and an interest in epidemics and

history. It captures and holds the reader's attention with little-known

facts about how various cultures dealt with the various epidemics which

struck them at different times through history, or how outbreaks of

disease during war changed the course and outcome of battles, or how man's

development of villages and cities gave rise to a host of new infections

which thrived by spreading quickly among groups of people living at close

quarters.

The book addresses all of the large-scale epidemics and plagues

which have affected the world throughout history. It traces them from

origin of the microbe, to the first significant outbreaks of the disease,

how the affected people dealt with the disease, and how it has (or has

not) been controlled. There are detailed case histories of specific

villages where outbreaks of infection occurred, all of which give readers

a good sense of what life was like during past epidemics and outbreaks and

how this is reflected in the way disease is dealt with today.

As an significant element in his book, Karlen stresses the impact

of the changing lifestyles of humans to the changing state of health in

the world. He states:

Diseases occurred in increased numbers when our ancestors left the trees

for the ground; when nomads became hunters and spread around the world;

when village life began, and with the growth of cities; with the start of

global travel, and then with the Industrial Revolution; with the social

and technological results of prosperity (229).

Every topic addressed is given sufficient attention while not

being analyzed in excess. The structure of the chapters is unusual in

that it proceeds chronologically but only to an extent; it goes back and

forth through history connecting various epidemics, diseases and countries

where it is relevant, which creates a thread which carries the reader

through the entire book with the feeling that he or she has been watching

a documentary on television, as opposed to reading out of a science of

history textbook.

Karlen ends his book with several important points. One is

the idea that disease is an inevitable part of our lives, it always has

been and always will be, and thus this should be accepted as a fact. It

can be inferred then that the people who become afflicted with disease

should be accepted and not stigmatized or discriminated against. "If the

study of emerging diseases shows us anything, it is that hosts and

parasites dance, however differently, to the same tune. They are

constrained by each other and evolve together" (226). Another point which

should be noted, which encompasses the overarching theme of the book as

well as an informed perspective with which to view the situation of

disease and epidemics is, "There is cause for alarm, but not for

despair...If we are to adapt and survive, we must start by understanding

how we have always coped with new diseases" (11).

Karlen, Arlo. Man and Microbes: Disease and Plagues in History and Modern

Times. Tarcher/Putnam Book. New York: 1995. 230 pgs.