Evolution of Epidemiology

Environmental Explanations
 
 

Hippocrates was the first to suggest that disease is caused by environmental elements, around 400 B.C.E.

From 400 B.C.E. until the mid-19th century, many theories were developed to explain infection.

Most of these theories were based on the concept of miasmas. Contagious matter was thought to create a gaseous form, a miasma, which spread infection through the atmosphere.