Causation and Disease: A Chronological Journey

Abstract

Establishing causation of disease has been one of Alfred Evans' major concerns throughout his distinguished career. In this personalized and interesting monograph he brings historical perspective to his thoughts on determining whether a particular agent or factor causes a particular disease or condition. A distinctive part of presentation is attention to personalities of players, a technique that makes story more lively. Many illustrations, both drawings and photographs, help bring a human touch. the justification for seeking control of cigarette smoke in attacking lung cancer without necessarily knowing precise etiologic chain Evans starts with Bible and leprosy, moves quickly to Fracastoro and syphilis, and then describes four pre-bacteriology epidemics, scurvy and lead colic in 18th century and cholera and puerperal sepsis in 19th, as examples of how astute observers deduced causation. Evans uses reasoning process of four heroes—James Lind, George Baker,

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