The Sweating Sickness in England

The Sweating Sickness in England is a comprehensive historical account authored by Charles Creighton, delving into the mysterious and deadly epidemic known as the sweating sickness that swept through England during the late 15th and 16th centuries. This scholarly work meticulously traces the origins, spread, and impact of the disease, which first appeared in 1485 and recurred in several devastating outbreaks over the next seventy years. Creighton examines contemporary medical theories, chronicles the symptoms and rapid progression of the illness, and explores the social and political upheaval it caused across the country. Drawing on a wide range of primary sources, including chronicles, letters, and medical treatises, the book provides detailed narratives of the major epidemics, their geographic reach, and the responses of both the medical community and the general populace. The author also investigates possible causes of the disease, considering environmental, social, and biological factors, and compares the sweating sickness to other epidemic diseases of the period. Rich in historical detail and medical insight, The Sweating Sickness in England offers readers a vivid portrait of a forgotten plague and its profound effects on English society, making it an essential resource for students of medical history, epidemiology, and Tudor England.