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Ebola Pandemic 2014
This is probably the only worthy news story of the past month. Plagues and epidemics have played a big part in history. Everyone knows about the Black Death, but other diseases (typus, typhoid, syphilis, influenza, smallpox, cholera) have played major roles in directing world history.
Athens had seemed on the verge of a victory in the Peloponnesian War until the plague decimated their population.
This Ebola talk has reminded me of a similar--perhaps identical--outbreak of the plague in Athens in the 5th century B.C., during the Peloponnesian War. The History of Thucydides contains a famous passage where he describes the disease and its effects. His description of the plague is so compelling that I'm going to include it here for forum members to chew on at their leisure.
Scholars are not certain of the exact nature of the disease that hit Athens. Speculations have ranged from typhoid fever, to viral hemorragic fever, to Ebola. The inability to get good DNA samples from skeletons has hampered precise identification. But the disease did come from Africa, and does bear many uncomfortable similarities to the modern Ebola virus. For this reason alone, it is worth studying.
Thucydides was a precise and accurate describer of events, so we are fortunate to have his account. In the end, readers will have to judge for themselves. Here is his account, which is taken from books 2.47-2.51 of his History.
The passage is relatively long, for a blog post, but worth reading. For its narrative power and gripping intensity, it is among the most famous passages in his History.
___________________________________
It first began, it is said, in the parts of Ethiopia above Egypt, and thence descended into Egypt and Libya and into most of the [Persian] King's country. Suddenly falling upon Athens, it first attacked the population in Piraeus -which was the occasion of their saying that the Peloponnesians had poisoned the reservoirs, there being as yet no wells there- and afterwards appeared in the upper city, when the deaths became much more frequent.
All speculation as to its origin and its causes, if causes can be found adequate to produce so great a disturbance, I leave to other writers, whether lay or professional; for myself, I shall simply set down its nature, and explain the symptoms by which perhaps it may be recognized by the student, if it should ever break out again. This I can the better do, as I had the disease myself, and watched its operation in the case of others.
That year then is admitted to have been otherwise unprecedentedly free from sickness; and such few cases as occurred all determined in this. As a rule, however, there was no ostensible cause; but people in good health were all of a sudden attacked by violent heats in the head, and redness and inflammation in the eyes, the inward parts, such as the throat or tongue, becoming bloody and emitting an unnatural and fetid breath. These symptoms were followed by sneezing and hoarseness, after which the pain soon reached the chest, and produced a hard cough. When it fixed in the stomach, it upset it; and discharges of bile of every kind named by physicians ensued, accompanied by very great distress. In most cases also an ineffectual retching followed, producing violent spasms, which in some cases ceased soon after, in others much later.
Externally the body was not very hot to the touch, nor pale in its appearance, but reddish, livid, and breaking out into small pustules and ulcers. But internally it burned so that the patient could not bear to have on him clothing or linen even of the very lightest description; or indeed to be otherwise than stark naked. What they would have liked best would have been to throw themselves into cold water; as indeed was done by some of the neglected sick, who plunged into the rain tanks in their agonies of unquenchable thirst; though it made no difference whether they drank little or much.
Besides this, the miserable feeling of not being able to rest or sleep never ceased to torment them. The body meanwhile did not waste away so long as the distemper was at its height, but held out to a marvel against its ravages; so that when they succumbed, as in most cases, on the seventh or eighth day to the internal inflammation, they had still some strength in them. But if they passed this stage, and the disease descended further into the bowels, inducing a violent ulceration there accompanied by severe diarrhea, this brought on a weakness which was generally fatal.
For the disorder first settled in the head, ran its course from thence through the whole of the body, and, even where it did not prove mortal, it still left its mark on the extremities; for it settled in the privy parts, the fingers and the toes, and many escaped with the loss of these, some too with that of their eyes. Others again were seized with an entire loss of memory on their first recovery, and did not know either themselves or their friends.
But while the nature of the distemper was such as to baffle all description, and its attacks almost too grievous for human nature to endure, it was still in the following circumstance that its difference from all ordinary disorders was most clearly shown. All the birds and beasts that prey upon human bodies, either abstained from touching them (though there were many lying unburied), or died after tasting them. In proof of this, it was noticed that birds of this kind actually disappeared; they were not about the bodies, or indeed to be seen at all. But of course the effects which I have mentioned could best be studied in a domestic animal like the dog.
Such then, if we pass over the varieties of particular cases which were many and peculiar, were the general features of the distemper. Meanwhile the town enjoyed an immunity from all the ordinary disorders; or if any case occurred, it ended in this. Some died in neglect, others in the midst of every attention. No remedy was found that could be used as a specific; for what did good in one case, did harm in another. Strong and weak constitutions proved equally incapable of resistance, all alike being swept away, although dieted with the utmost precaution.
By far the most terrible feature in the malady was the dejection which ensued when any one felt himself sickening, for the despair into which they instantly fell took away their power of resistance, and left them a much easier prey to the disorder; besides which, there was the awful spectacle of men dying like sheep, through having caught the infection in nursing each other. This caused the greatest mortality. On the one hand, if they were afraid to visit each other, they perished from neglect; indeed many houses were emptied of their inmates for want of a nurse: on the other, if they ventured to do so, death was the consequence. This was especially the case with such as made any pretensions to goodness: honor made them unsparing of themselves in their attendance in their friends' houses, where even the members of the family were at last worn out by the moans of the dying, and succumbed to the force of the disaster.
Yet it was with those who had recovered from the disease that the sick and the dying found most compassion. These knew what it was from experience, and had now no fear for themselves; for the same man was never attacked twice- never at least fatally. And such persons not only received the congratulations of others, but themselves also, in the elation of the moment, half entertained the vain hope that they were for the future safe from any disease whatsoever.
An aggravation of the existing calamity was the influx from the country into the city, and this was especially felt by the new arrivals. As there were no houses to receive them, they had to be lodged at the hot season of the year in stifling cabins, where the mortality raged without restraint. The bodies of dying men lay one upon another, and half-dead creatures reeled about the streets and gathered round all the fountains in their longing for water. The sacred places also in which they had quartered themselves were full of corpses of persons that had died there, just as they were; for as the disaster passed all bounds, men, not knowing what was to become of them, became utterly careless of everything, whether sacred or profane.
All the burial rites before in use were entirely upset, and they buried the bodies as best they could. Many from want of the proper appliances, through so many of their friends having died already, had recourse to the most shameless sepultures: sometimes getting the start of those who had raised a pile, they threw their own dead body upon the stranger's pyre and ignited it; sometimes they tossed the corpse which they were carrying on the top of another that was burning, and so went off.
Nor was this the only form of lawless extravagance which owed its origin to the plague. Men now coolly ventured on what they had formerly done in a corner, and not just as they pleased, seeing the rapid transitions produced by persons in prosperity suddenly dying and those who before had nothing succeeding to their property. So they resolved to spend quickly and enjoy themselves, regarding their lives and riches as alike things of a day. Perseverance in what men called honor was popular with none, it was so uncertain whether they would be spared to attain the object; but it was settled that present enjoyment, and all that contributed to it, was both honorable and useful.
Fear of gods or law of man there was none to restrain them. As for the first, they judged it to be just the same whether they worshipped them or not, as they saw all alike perishing; and for the last, no one expected to live to be brought to trial for his offenses, but each felt that a far severer sentence had been already passed upon them all and hung ever over their heads, and before this fell it was only reasonable to enjoy life a little.
Athens had seemed on the verge of a victory in the Peloponnesian War until the plague decimated their population.
This Ebola talk has reminded me of a similar--perhaps identical--outbreak of the plague in Athens in the 5th century B.C., during the Peloponnesian War. The History of Thucydides contains a famous passage where he describes the disease and its effects. His description of the plague is so compelling that I'm going to include it here for forum members to chew on at their leisure.
Scholars are not certain of the exact nature of the disease that hit Athens. Speculations have ranged from typhoid fever, to viral hemorragic fever, to Ebola. The inability to get good DNA samples from skeletons has hampered precise identification. But the disease did come from Africa, and does bear many uncomfortable similarities to the modern Ebola virus. For this reason alone, it is worth studying.
Thucydides was a precise and accurate describer of events, so we are fortunate to have his account. In the end, readers will have to judge for themselves. Here is his account, which is taken from books 2.47-2.51 of his History.
The passage is relatively long, for a blog post, but worth reading. For its narrative power and gripping intensity, it is among the most famous passages in his History.
___________________________________
It first began, it is said, in the parts of Ethiopia above Egypt, and thence descended into Egypt and Libya and into most of the [Persian] King's country. Suddenly falling upon Athens, it first attacked the population in Piraeus -which was the occasion of their saying that the Peloponnesians had poisoned the reservoirs, there being as yet no wells there- and afterwards appeared in the upper city, when the deaths became much more frequent.
All speculation as to its origin and its causes, if causes can be found adequate to produce so great a disturbance, I leave to other writers, whether lay or professional; for myself, I shall simply set down its nature, and explain the symptoms by which perhaps it may be recognized by the student, if it should ever break out again. This I can the better do, as I had the disease myself, and watched its operation in the case of others.
That year then is admitted to have been otherwise unprecedentedly free from sickness; and such few cases as occurred all determined in this. As a rule, however, there was no ostensible cause; but people in good health were all of a sudden attacked by violent heats in the head, and redness and inflammation in the eyes, the inward parts, such as the throat or tongue, becoming bloody and emitting an unnatural and fetid breath. These symptoms were followed by sneezing and hoarseness, after which the pain soon reached the chest, and produced a hard cough. When it fixed in the stomach, it upset it; and discharges of bile of every kind named by physicians ensued, accompanied by very great distress. In most cases also an ineffectual retching followed, producing violent spasms, which in some cases ceased soon after, in others much later.
Externally the body was not very hot to the touch, nor pale in its appearance, but reddish, livid, and breaking out into small pustules and ulcers. But internally it burned so that the patient could not bear to have on him clothing or linen even of the very lightest description; or indeed to be otherwise than stark naked. What they would have liked best would have been to throw themselves into cold water; as indeed was done by some of the neglected sick, who plunged into the rain tanks in their agonies of unquenchable thirst; though it made no difference whether they drank little or much.
Besides this, the miserable feeling of not being able to rest or sleep never ceased to torment them. The body meanwhile did not waste away so long as the distemper was at its height, but held out to a marvel against its ravages; so that when they succumbed, as in most cases, on the seventh or eighth day to the internal inflammation, they had still some strength in them. But if they passed this stage, and the disease descended further into the bowels, inducing a violent ulceration there accompanied by severe diarrhea, this brought on a weakness which was generally fatal.
For the disorder first settled in the head, ran its course from thence through the whole of the body, and, even where it did not prove mortal, it still left its mark on the extremities; for it settled in the privy parts, the fingers and the toes, and many escaped with the loss of these, some too with that of their eyes. Others again were seized with an entire loss of memory on their first recovery, and did not know either themselves or their friends.
But while the nature of the distemper was such as to baffle all description, and its attacks almost too grievous for human nature to endure, it was still in the following circumstance that its difference from all ordinary disorders was most clearly shown. All the birds and beasts that prey upon human bodies, either abstained from touching them (though there were many lying unburied), or died after tasting them. In proof of this, it was noticed that birds of this kind actually disappeared; they were not about the bodies, or indeed to be seen at all. But of course the effects which I have mentioned could best be studied in a domestic animal like the dog.
Such then, if we pass over the varieties of particular cases which were many and peculiar, were the general features of the distemper. Meanwhile the town enjoyed an immunity from all the ordinary disorders; or if any case occurred, it ended in this. Some died in neglect, others in the midst of every attention. No remedy was found that could be used as a specific; for what did good in one case, did harm in another. Strong and weak constitutions proved equally incapable of resistance, all alike being swept away, although dieted with the utmost precaution.
By far the most terrible feature in the malady was the dejection which ensued when any one felt himself sickening, for the despair into which they instantly fell took away their power of resistance, and left them a much easier prey to the disorder; besides which, there was the awful spectacle of men dying like sheep, through having caught the infection in nursing each other. This caused the greatest mortality. On the one hand, if they were afraid to visit each other, they perished from neglect; indeed many houses were emptied of their inmates for want of a nurse: on the other, if they ventured to do so, death was the consequence. This was especially the case with such as made any pretensions to goodness: honor made them unsparing of themselves in their attendance in their friends' houses, where even the members of the family were at last worn out by the moans of the dying, and succumbed to the force of the disaster.
Yet it was with those who had recovered from the disease that the sick and the dying found most compassion. These knew what it was from experience, and had now no fear for themselves; for the same man was never attacked twice- never at least fatally. And such persons not only received the congratulations of others, but themselves also, in the elation of the moment, half entertained the vain hope that they were for the future safe from any disease whatsoever.
An aggravation of the existing calamity was the influx from the country into the city, and this was especially felt by the new arrivals. As there were no houses to receive them, they had to be lodged at the hot season of the year in stifling cabins, where the mortality raged without restraint. The bodies of dying men lay one upon another, and half-dead creatures reeled about the streets and gathered round all the fountains in their longing for water. The sacred places also in which they had quartered themselves were full of corpses of persons that had died there, just as they were; for as the disaster passed all bounds, men, not knowing what was to become of them, became utterly careless of everything, whether sacred or profane.
All the burial rites before in use were entirely upset, and they buried the bodies as best they could. Many from want of the proper appliances, through so many of their friends having died already, had recourse to the most shameless sepultures: sometimes getting the start of those who had raised a pile, they threw their own dead body upon the stranger's pyre and ignited it; sometimes they tossed the corpse which they were carrying on the top of another that was burning, and so went off.
Nor was this the only form of lawless extravagance which owed its origin to the plague. Men now coolly ventured on what they had formerly done in a corner, and not just as they pleased, seeing the rapid transitions produced by persons in prosperity suddenly dying and those who before had nothing succeeding to their property. So they resolved to spend quickly and enjoy themselves, regarding their lives and riches as alike things of a day. Perseverance in what men called honor was popular with none, it was so uncertain whether they would be spared to attain the object; but it was settled that present enjoyment, and all that contributed to it, was both honorable and useful.
Fear of gods or law of man there was none to restrain them. As for the first, they judged it to be just the same whether they worshipped them or not, as they saw all alike perishing; and for the last, no one expected to live to be brought to trial for his offenses, but each felt that a far severer sentence had been already passed upon them all and hung ever over their heads, and before this fell it was only reasonable to enjoy life a little.
This virus IS airborne! (Or at least some strains seem to be.) Look at the link.
"In-contact transmission of Zaire-EBOV (ZEBOV) between pigs was demonstrated experimentally. Here we show ZEBOV transmission from pigs to cynomolgus macaques without direct contact. "
http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/121115/s...00811.html
Another article that states ebola is not strictly "airborne" as the nature article claims but is able to move through the air because of water droplets.
http://scgnews.com/ebola-what-youre-not-being-told
"In-contact transmission of Zaire-EBOV (ZEBOV) between pigs was demonstrated experimentally. Here we show ZEBOV transmission from pigs to cynomolgus macaques without direct contact. "
http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/121115/s...00811.html
Another article that states ebola is not strictly "airborne" as the nature article claims but is able to move through the air because of water droplets.
http://scgnews.com/ebola-what-youre-not-being-told
Quote: (08-02-2014 07:17 PM)TheSearcher Wrote:
This virus IS airborne! (Or at least some strains seem to be.) Look at the link.
"In-contact transmission of Zaire-EBOV (ZEBOV) between pigs was demonstrated experimentally. Here we show ZEBOV transmission from pigs to cynomolgus macaques without direct contact. "
http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/121115/s...00811.html
Another article that states ebola is not strictly "airborne" as the nature article claims but is able to move through the air because of water droplets.
http://scgnews.com/ebola-what-youre-not-being-told
It can move in big water droplets, but that effect only in the very local area (6 feet). Influenza can move in small droplets, that is much more dangerous.
An N95 mask can drop your chances of getting the disease 60-80%. An N100 mask as much as 90% or more.
Deus vult!
I have no problem with this. In fact, this might of been a good thing. It's clear that we need to step up research on Ebola.
It was bound to happen that someone infected with Ebola would come to the US whether they knew they were infected or not.
It was bound to happen that someone infected with Ebola would come to the US whether they knew they were infected or not.
A man is only as faithful as his options-Chris Rock
Quote: (07-03-2014 10:19 AM)Sp5 Wrote:
Quote: (07-03-2014 08:41 AM)Hotwheels Wrote:
Clancy concocted a terroristic aerosol ebola delivery system in one of his books that I read years ago.
Was interesting even as fiction.
The guy who wrote the Dune books, Frank Herbert, also wrote a book about a scientist whose wife and kids are killed by terrorists, The White Plague, and who engineers a plague that only kills women.
That kind of thing is fully possible now, and the technology is only going to get cheaper and more accessible.
Gee. I sure how they don't come up with a disease that kills only feminists...cause that would be wrong :/
People are overreacting on this.
In before the guys in the Ukraine thread claims the transfer of the Ebola patient is due to US bio warfare research.
^ Naw man, Ebola is clearly going to be spread by ChemTrails soon...
Just carry a n95 and goggles and gloves at all times when in a crowded infected area( don't forget the goggles and hood). Tape also to tape it to face to get good fit.
What is more scary is that other nations and terrorist groups are constantly trying to get samples.
What is more scary is that other nations and terrorist groups are constantly trying to get samples.
Looks like it just spread to London
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ebo...es-3977051
Of course "officials" say it can't possibly spread any further. It's very important to remember that people in official capacity will ALWAYS lie about these things. They are training to first avoid panic, and second, to avoid any adverse reactions for their organization. Whether you get the disease, they don't care.
This is how real pandemics start...because the people "in charge" don't want to admit anything is going wrong. Later, after it gets out of control, then they crack down too hard.
Not saying Ebola is going to spread. Probably it won't. But just remember, if it does spread, or some other virus later, they will always underplay the danger until it's too late.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ebo...es-3977051
Of course "officials" say it can't possibly spread any further. It's very important to remember that people in official capacity will ALWAYS lie about these things. They are training to first avoid panic, and second, to avoid any adverse reactions for their organization. Whether you get the disease, they don't care.
This is how real pandemics start...because the people "in charge" don't want to admit anything is going wrong. Later, after it gets out of control, then they crack down too hard.
Not saying Ebola is going to spread. Probably it won't. But just remember, if it does spread, or some other virus later, they will always underplay the danger until it's too late.
Quote: (07-03-2014 04:32 AM)Crackshot Wrote:
Fuck it this thread has scared me so much I'm cancelling the trip to west Africa I had planned in October- not to Guinea but a neighbouring nation
Call me an irrational pussy if you want I don't care.
there's really poor sanitation there in Africa in general, a lot of risk.
your caution doesn't sound irrational to me, unless there was a corresponding reward.
Quote: (08-03-2014 09:50 PM)MrLemon Wrote:
This is how real pandemics start...because the people "in charge" don't want to admit anything is going wrong.
Yes, because they get slammed for "wasting money" or "scaremongering" if they react fast and hard. It's the worst case of Cassandra's syndrome ever. No matter what they do, they will never have the public on their side.
"Imagine" by HCE | Hitler reacts to Battle of Montreal | An alternative use for squid that has never crossed your mind before
Here's something for the conspiracy hamster...
Not sure about the movie but...for some reason my high school had "The Hot Zone" on our required reading list in 9th or 10th grade. I was scarred for life from that book.
"...it's the quiet cool...it's for someone who's been through the struggle and come out on the other side smelling like money and pussy."
"put her in the taxi, put her number in the trash can"
"Feminism is a trade union for ugly women"- Peregrine
Im in nyc think I should flee? I believe I could make it to canada by sunrise. Theres a mosquito in my place, could be carrying.
What about that serum used on the Americans?
Perhaps its one big Walking Dead advertising campaign.
Unless the apocalypse is actually coming... It is starting in Atlanta.
Sounds awfully familiar
Unless the apocalypse is actually coming... It is starting in Atlanta.
Sounds awfully familiar
Testing someone in Columbus Ohio now too, 7 different people in the US being tested for possible Ebola, and the one in Ohio went into the hospital a few days ago and it is only being reported today. Scary stuff
Great time to buy stock in this company^^
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