This book delves into several illnesses that have infected humans and affected civilizations. Each chapter explores the history of a specific disease, detailing the symptoms, cures, and medical breakthroughs that it spawned.

Plague, or the Black Death -- Smallpox, or the Speckled Monster -- Rabies, or hydrophobia -- Tuberculosis, or consumption -- Cholear, or the Blue Death -- Scurvy, or the plague of the sea.