Module 1 Discussion Post
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Feb 20, 2024
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Module 1 Discussion Post - EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiological Observations in History
1.
Consider the major epidemics that swept Europe and share your thoughts about the
observations of scientists such as Edward Jenner, John Snow, and others in history. How
did their observations shape the field of epidemiology, public health, and medicine?
As I reflect on the work and discoveries of Edward Jenner and its implications on the modern
practice of preventative medicine, I find myself grateful to live in a time where widespread
immunizations and preventive measures are, for the most part, accepted. Jenner’s dedication to
observing and researching the efficacy of vaccination with smallpox was invaluable. Even
though he was not the first to discover the concept, he was the first to so thoroughly research it
and he went to great lengths to spread the practice. The widespread use and requirement of
vaccinations today are, in a large part, attributed to Edward Jenner and his work. The work and
studies of Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis are historically astounding, considering his discovery of a
correlation between poor hygiene among medical students performing autopsies and attending
childbirth immediately after preceded any knowledge of germ theory (Celentano, 2018). Despite
the importance of his discovery, Semmelweis refused to present his findings to the wider medical
community. Among other reasons, this delayed the promotion of handwashing policies. This very
negatively impacted public health and delayed an important, groundbreaking discovery from
being further researched and reported on. Another massively important epidemiological figure
was John Snow and his work in identifying the general cause of a cholera outbreak in London
based entirely on observational data. He was able to deduce, by going to thousands of homes in
London and identifying the number of household members who died from the disease and the
company their water was sourced from, that the source of the cholera outbreak was contaminated
water being pumped from a heavily polluted section of the Thames. His discovery proved that a
biological understanding of the bacteria, Vibrio cholerae, is not required to obtain an
epidemiologic understanding of the spread of disease and potential mitigation efforts. I feel that
his discoveries, along with those of Jenner, are invaluable in highlighting how observational
research can shape the field of epidemiology and result in massive advancements in public health
and medicine. The lack of reporting on Semmelweis' part is an example of how, conversely,
withholding these observations can very negatively impact public health and the progression of
medicine and good clinical practice.
References:
Celentano, D. D., & Szklo, M. (2018).
Gordis epidemiology
(6th ed.). Elsevier.
Response 1: Jordan Brack
I am of the strong opinion that epidemiology is closely and invariably linked to medical practice,
and that epidemiological research and observations can directly lead to further informed
decisions made by healthcare professionals, and thus the overall reduction of potential harm. As
outlined by Celentano and Szklo, prevention is as integral to epidemiology as it is to clinical
practice. As a physician treats their patient, they are engaging in preventive work. Preventing
patient death and complications. As epidemiologists work on widescale disease prevention on a
population scale, physicians work on prevention individually. The use of epidemiological
practices can, as you mention, inform physicians on best practices in treatment, such as hygienic
standards like hand washing, thus improving patient health status and preventing disease.
References:
Celentano, D. D., & Szklo, M. (2018).
Gordis epidemiology
(6th ed.). Elsevier.
Response 2: Larissa Richardson
Larissa, I agree that Jenner and Snow’s achievements led to significant advances in the field of
public health and epidemiology. Their diligence in exploring the causes and potential solutions
for diseases and outbreaks that they did not fully understand. It makes Ignaz Semmelweis’ lack
of communication so upsetting to me. He made a tremendous discovery that saved lives in its
application, and yet refused to present those findings to the broader medical community,
resulting in the concept and process of handwashing and, medical professional hygiene being
rejected and delayed for years longer than it needed to. It seems counterintuitive for one so
dedicated to rooting out the cause of death and advise measures like handwashing to his local
community to then refuse to share that knowledge broadly. Response 3: Josiah Barnes
I find it inspiring the lengths that Jenner and Snow had to go in order to achieve their results.
Germ theory was far from being discovered and the true biological nature of the pathogens
causing the disease was not known. Still, despite these gaps in their knowledge, they were able to
discover epidemiological principles that, today, are considered common practice. Even Ignaz
Semmelweis, despite his refusal to present his findings to the greater scientific community, was
able to make a massively significant discovery well before germ theory was established. The
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practice of handwashing is required in all areas of medical practice and in most other
establishments, especially those dealing with food and human products. These scientist’s
dedication to examining the potential causes and remedies for these devastating outbreaks of
disease and death despite a lack of considerably fundamental knowledge is remarkable.