天宝战争与疟疾

Tianbao War and Malaria

在天宝战争中,唐朝对南诏发动的两次大规模的征讨都遭到惨败。历史上云南瘴气肆虐,被称为瘴疠之区,是疟疾的主要流行区之一。夏季为疟疾多发季节,唐军选择此时进入云南境内征讨南诏,不论在进军途中,还是在交战地域,都有可能罹患疟疾,导致大批士兵损失,从而使唐军的战斗力和士气受到严重削弱。南诏士兵由于适应当地环境,自身产生了一定的免疫力,因而大大降低了感染疟疾的可能性。疟疾对天宝战争产生了重大影响,成为决定天宝战争胜负的重要因素,是唐朝失败的主要原因之一。

During the Tianbao war in Tang dynasty, the central government launched two conquests against Nanzhao, both of which were defeated miserably. In history, miasma was rampant in Yunnan Province, making Yunnan become one of the main epidemic areas of malaria. The summer in Yunnan was a season of frequent occurrence of malaria. At this time, Tang army entered the territory of Yunnan to attack Nanzhao. No matter on the way of marching or in the warring area, they were likely to suffer from malaria, which led to the loss of a large number of soldiers, thus seriously weakening the combat effectiveness and morale of Tang army. Due to the adaptation of Nanzhao soldiers to the local environment, they had developed a certain immunity, which greatly reduced the possibility of malaria infection. Malaria had a great influence on the Tianbao war for it being an important factor in determining the outcome, and was one of the main reasons for the defeat of the Tang army.