Science and Empire: East Coast Fever in Rhodesia and the Transvaal (Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine) [Paperback]

Paul F. Cranefield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 2002 | Series: Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine

East Coast fever is a lethal disease of cattle caused by a parasite. It affects and distorts lymph cells and causes them to behave like cells in leukemia and lymphoma. The disease was unknown to Western science or to veterinary practice until it was introduced into Rhodesia in 1901. It devastated the cattle-raising and ox-cart dependent transport systems of Rhodesia and South Africa and was not fully brought under control for some fifty years. It remains a serious problem in East and Central Africa. The book describes the social and economic impact of the outbreak, the scientific investigations into it, and the effort to control it. The scientific study of the disease was done in part by the famous bacteriologist, Robert Koch, whose many early errors retarded later investigations, which were far more sound. Much of the text is accessible to the nonspecialist reader and one chapter deals with the present-day understanding of the basic nature of the disease.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an excellent means of assisting veterinarians and students of veterinary medicine in understanding the social and economic impact of animal diseases and how verterinary medicine is a key element in those aspects ... I found it fascinating and certainly gained insights into Koch's work that I did not learn as a studennt of bacteriology. Because the author wrote the book as a s tudy and a story, it makes great fireside or bedside reading." JVME

"Cranefield...has achieved a degree of clarity in his presentation of this story that should allow it to be readily understood by historians of the British Empire in Africa as well as by historians of medicine. Most laymen are unlikely to feel lost....Undoubtedly a highly reliable book, Science and Empire appears to have presented to its author an engrossing challenge to reconstruct past scientific reasoning and governance." Diana Wylie, International Journal of African Historical Studies

"...fascinating, well-written book....thoroughly grounded in research in relevant archives and the scientific literature. The author has many significant things to say about the process of scientific discovery, the role of intellectual authority, communications among researchers, and intellectual relationships between center and periphery. He also tells a very interesting and important story." K. David Patterson, Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Science

Book Description

East Coast fever can kill 95% of a herd of cattle in three weeks. The disease was nknown to western science until it was introduced into Rhodesia in 1901. This book describes the social and economic impact, the scientific investigations into it, and the effort to control it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521524490
• ISBN-13: 978-0521524490
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,462,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.