Related Experiment Videos
A medical geographical anniversary
1Atkinson College, York University, Ontario, Canada.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|September 1, 1993
Summary
This paper revisits L.L. Finke's 200-year-old treatise on medical geography, highlighting its foundational importance. It argues that Finke's work, often overlooked, significantly predates modern developments in the field.
Area of Science:
- Medical Geography
- History of Science
Background:
- L.L. Finke's 1824 treatise, "Versuch einer allgemeinen medicinisch-praktischen Geographie," represents a comprehensive early work in global medical geography.
- Despite its substantive content and detailed conceptual discussion, Finke's work remains largely inaccessible due to minimal translation from German.
Discussion:
- Modern medical geography often overlooks Finke's contributions, with many believing the field emerged mid-20th century.
- This paper challenges the notion that medical geography is a recent discipline, asserting Finke's work as a key foundational piece.
Key Insights:
- Finke's treatise is a seminal, yet underrecognized, foundation of medical geography.
- The 200th anniversary of Finke's publication provides an opportunity to reassess his impact on the field.
Outlook:
- Further research and translation of Finke's work are needed to fully appreciate its historical significance.
- Recognizing Finke's early contributions can enrich the historical understanding and future development of medical geography.