The Peoples Plague – Artifact 6

Tuberculosis

“TB” is an infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It generally affects the lungs, but can also attack the kidneys, bones (Pott’s disease), lymph nodes, and even the brain. The modern strains of M. tuberculosis seem to have originated from a common ancestor about 15-20,000 years ago. It was also documented in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago. It became an epidemic in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, though it’s believed to have arrived in the 17th. During these times, death by tuberculosis was simply inevitable. There was no cure, no valid treatment. TB was the leading cause of death in 1650 and was referred to as the Great White Plague. It was “captain among these men of death”. As usual, the high population density and poor sanitation of cities created the perfect conditions for TB to flourish. TB was a major killer and world-wide epidemic all the way up to the cure in 1944, with the discovery of Streptomycin. One drug wouldn’t be enough however. Today, 10 drugs are currently approved by the FDA fro treating TB. If the patient fails to take all of their antibiotics however, the existing bacteria are likely to multiply and create a more drug resistant strain (MDR/XDR-TB) which causes delayed resolution or worse symptoms. The resistant strain may also be transmitted and is has a higher mortality rate.

 

Modern Days:

In today’s times, we have a resurgence of tuberculosis cases. A major contributing factor is that immuno-suppressed individuals are much more likely to obtain an active case of TB. Say… someone that has HIV/AIDS? We are also battling antibiotic resistance. Directly observed therapy is necessary to ensure that patients comply with their drug regiment and don’t ignorantly make matters worse. Multiple drug resistant and extensively resistant TB (MDR & XDR) can be transmitted just like normal TB and is incredibly hard to treat.

 

Disease and Society:

The author of the textbook makes the following point: “…tuberculosis is not only an infectious disease but a societal one as well…in order for ‘the people’s plague’ to be eradicated, the subtle interplay between disease and society must be fully appreciated. Until that time, TB remains a disease that could re-emerge to threaten us once again.” The author’s idea here is that living conditions and our societal interplay with one another is the main reason that TB is such a threat. He isn’t wrong, but he’s also ignorant. Society does not change quickly, and humans do not change just because we are dying! We are too invested in out big cities and industry.