From Humors to Microbes: An Introduction to the History of Disease

Articles in Press

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Department of Philosophy of Science, Sharif University Of Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jihs.2026.411805.371886

Abstract

From ancient times, humanity has been concerned with fundamental questions such as the definition of disease, its causes, and its treatment. Initially, beliefs about the origin and treatment of disease were influenced by and intertwined with supernatural and religious matters. With the emergence of Greek scholars, particularly figures such as Hippocrates, disease was for the first time explained as a natural phenomenon resulting from an imbalance of the four humors. Furthermore, the miasma theory, with its emphasis on the role of corrupt air and environmental conditions in the onset of diseases, especially epidemic diseases, gained widespread acceptance and had a profound impact on public health. Finally, in the late nineteenth century, through the research of Pasteur, Lister, and Robert Koch, germ theory was empirically established, ushering medicine into the modern era. This transformation led to a remarkable reduction in mortality. Examining this historical trajectory fosters awareness of the roots of certain beliefs and behaviors, as well as an understanding of the evolution of various theories and how they have explained disease.

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Journal for the History of Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 April 2026

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