清季湖南疫灾与防治

Plague in Hunan and Its Prevention and Cure in Qing Dynasty

清季湖南发生过多次瘟疫,其中最大的有三次,造成了严重的后果和社会恐慌,有的引发了反洋教斗争。一些有识知之士对疫病的起因和预防有了较为科学的认识,西医西药的传入对防疫治病也有较大的成效。但对广大的贫苦人民来说温饱尚未解决,卫生和防疫不过是一种奢望。他们缺医少药, 不懂科学,遇疫仍不免乞求神灵。

There were several plagues happened in Hunan in Qing Dynasty. Three plagues caused serious consequences and social panic, even the struggle against foreign religions. Men of insight had a scientific understanding of the causes and prevention of plagues, introduction of the western medicine also played an important role in curing the illness and preventing the plague. However, the poor mass who had not enough to eat and wear regarded sanitation and plague prevention as wild wishes. They wer short of medicione and they didnot know science. They had nothing to do but pray to God for mercy.