Theory of Causation and Disease

1. Mohammad Aslam Shaiekh
MPH – 3rd Batch
School of Health and Allied Sciences (SHAS)
Pokhara University (P.U)
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2.  THEORIES CONCERNING THE CAUSATION OF
DISEASE .
L. W. FEEZER,Assistanit Director, Divisiont of
Veneral Diseases, Minnesota State Board of
Health Minneapolis, Minnii.
1st Published on The American journal of
Public health
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3.  Early theories of causation of disease as
presented by article are .
 The demonic theory
 The punitive theory
 The miasmatic theory
 Beginnings of medicine
 Galen and the four humour
 Sydenham’s teaching
 Hahnemann and homeopathy
 Early scientists
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4.  According to this theory, disease was
produced by demons, one or more evil spirits
had fixed their abode in the victim's body.
the primitive man attributed disease and in
fact all human suffering and other calamities
to the wrath of gods ,the invasion of body by
“evil spirits” and the malevolent influence of
stars and planets.
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5. Proponents of this theory argue that
supernatural force cause disease. Disease
prevention measures based on this theory were
important to the religious people. The view
among them was that disease is a punishment
for transgression of God’s laws.
 the belief that one's attitude to-ward the
deity was responsible as a cause of sickness.
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6.  In modern era and mainly in underdeveloped
society “traditional healers (dhami, jhakri)”still
practiced rituals and sacrifices, witchcraft and
‘magic’ to provide relief in time of sickness
and suffering.
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7.  This theory argues that disease is caused by
the odor of decaying of organic materials. It
dates back to the Hippocratic idea that
disease is related to climate. It contrasted
sharply from the other theories since it
conceptually separated the source of the
disease from the victim of the disease. Later it
was replaced by germ theory of disease which
states specific germs , not miasma ,caused
specific disease.
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8.  A brief reference to some of the great names
in the chronicle of the healing art and some
of the theories are discussed here after ward.
 Hippocrates, "Father of Medicine." in that
early time he describe disease as a process
within the body, a process dependent upon
natural causes and subject to natural laws.
 They were valuable as the opening wedge for
the recognition of natural as opposed to
supernatural causes.
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9.  The theoretical structure begun by
Hippocrates, or at least based upon his
observations, was elaborated and de-scribed
by Galen (331- 201 B. C.) and is known as the
theory of the four humors.
 It was conceived that there are in the normal
body four humors in a definite amount and
proportion.
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10.  These humours were blood, phlegm, yellow bile
and black bile. The idea of the humours is the
real reason for the practice of blood letting .
 Disease was explained as a disturbance in the
equilibrium of these four humors; when these
were in perfect balance and harmony a person
is said to be healthy.
 It emphasized on internal and
environmental balance of body elements.
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11.  Sydenham (1644-1689), often- called the English
Hippocrates, first gave us the important thought
that there are different specific things which
should be held responsible for different diseases.
 Sydenham held that disease was the result of the
effort made- by the body to throw off, to expel
these materies morbi, the dead materials within
it,' which had made the trouble.'
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12.  It was step way or more or less mixed up with
the four humours theory of disease .
 It hold belief that a rash or eruption must
"come out" and the more it comes out the
better for the patient.
 Sydenham did much to teach the medical
profession the value and importance of
studying the case . Eg measles, whooping
cough, or chicken-pox.
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13.  Homeopathy, in its essentials, is founded on the
theory of Hahnemann, who urged that disease is due
to some spiritual influence, that it consists of its
symptoms taken collectively,
 that it may be treated by the removal of those
symptoms and that this result is to be obtained by
introducing into the body of the sick person, in small
quantities, such drugs as have been found to
produce the identical symptoms in a well person.
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14.  This practices has been criticizes as unethical
and controversial because of lack of scientific
study's and evidences .
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15.  There are a few other names which should
not be omitted in bringing the story within
reach of modern science. Among these are
Vesalius (1514-1564),who made anatomy a
science;
 Harvey (1578-1657),described the circulation
of the blood.
 Leeuwenhoek ( 1632-1723), invented the
microscope .
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16.  Kircher and Malpighi, the technicians who
first describe the use of microscope for
discovery of the causes of many of the
diseases.
 Jenner (1749-1823), introduces first scientific
use of a biological prophylactic inoculation.
 These men paved the way ,so to speak, for the
great modern leaders in bacteriology, Pasteur,
Lister and Koch.
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17.  In ancient and historic period medicine
practised was dominated by rituals and
sacrifices, religion and influence of evil
spirits.
 With civilization and human advancement,
it has now been more scientific ,rational
and specialized.
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18. Medicine is ever
changing
science.
THANK
YOU
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