The knowledge of parasites and parasitic infections from ancient times to the 17th century

Abstract

The foregoing review shows that the knowledge of parasites was very limited before the seventeenth century when the use of the newly invented compound microscope became more general; it comprised the larger endo- and ectoparasites of man, of domestic animals and of a number of wild animals. The clinical symptoms connected with the infection by Ascaris, Enterobius, Taenia and hydatid cyst were well known from early times and are already mentioned in the Hippocratic collection. Although there are no references to the parasites themselves, it is highly probable that the ancient Egyptians knew the symptoms of Schistosoma haematobium infection, which was apparently also known in Mesopotamia. The Chinese in endemic regions were familiar with the symptoms of schistosomiasis japonica. Anemia possibly due to hookworm infection is mentioned in the Papyrus Ebers and early Chinese medical works give good descriptions of the symptoms of hookworm disease. The manifestations of Dracunculus medinensis infection were described in detail by Graeco-Roman and Arabic authors. Elephantiasis is comparatively frequently discussed in Graeco-Roman, Arabic and Indian publications and judging by the descriptions it included different diseases among them being leprosy especially. Endoparasitism of leeches in nose and throat was known from ancient times and it played an important role in Arabic publications. The symptoms of mange in animals and of human scabies are mentioned by Graeco-Roman writers who were also familiar with infectiousness of the condition. Human scabies was well known to Arabic and Chinese physicians. Itching skin diseases with a different etiology were often described as true scabies while judging from certain descriptions of leprosy it probably included scabies as seen from some passages in the Bible. Mosquitoes as well as flies were suspected of being connected with disease. The inhabitants of tropical Africa and of Central and South America were familiar with Sarcopsylla penetrans infection and knew how to treat it properly. The different forms of malaria and the occasional epidemic outbreak of the disease were discussed by numerous early writers in Europe and Asia. American leishmaniasis existed in pre-Columbian America and was described from Peru by Spanish writers soon after the conquest.