Imagining Contagion in Early Modern Europe

Exploring the ideological foundations of contagion theories in early modern Europe, this volume features contributions from literary scholars, cultural historians, and medical historians. It examines how the fear of disease and the quest for understanding have persisted through history, influencing societal attitudes and moral judgments. The authors draw parallels between historical and contemporary outbreaks, such as HIV and SARS, highlighting the ongoing human struggle with illness and the implications for social ostracism and moral discourse.