Disease in the Popular American Press

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Disease in the Popular American Press The Case of Diphtheria, Typhoid Fever, and Syphilis, 1870-1920

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By Terra Ziporyn

ISBN: 0-313-26035-4

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-26035-3

DOI:

208 pages, bibliog., index

Greenwood Press

Publication: 9/28/1988

List Price: $112.95 (UK Sterling Price: £65.00)

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Media Type: Hardcover

Subjects:

Series Title: Contributions in Medical Studies

Series Number: 24

Reviews:

A well-researched, qualitative analysis of how the US mass media covered typhoid fever, diphtheria, and syphilis from 1870 to 1920. Ziporyn, a free-lance writer and former American Association for the Advancement of Science mass media science fellow, finds consistently high press coverage of typhoid fever contrasted with media disinterest in diphtheria and cautious reporting about syphilis. The press's approaches differed, she explains, because the news media responded to dissimilar social values about typhoid fever, diphtheria, and syphilis at the turn of the century. Ziporyn's observations are aided by a thorough, well footnoted analysis of publications across 14 categories.
—Choice

Description: This study explores the depiction of medical science to the American public through the medium of popular magazines in the period 1870 to 1920. To understand the impact of medical advances as conveyed by the popular press, Ziporyn examines articles on diphtheria, typhoid fever, and syphilis in major popular magazines of the time. In search of the common underlying premises, she analyzes the very different depictions of these three diseases: diptheria was associated with children, typhoid fever with uncleanliness, and syphilis with immorality. Although generally conservative in announcing advances, medical popularizers nevertheless presented theory as absolute certainty. Perhaps in anticipation of reader desires, popular articles portrayed medical science as completely devoid of uncertainty of error.

Table of Contents:

Preface
Introduction
The Popularization of Medicine
Diphtheria: A Disease of the Innocent
Typhoid Fever: A Disease of the Indifferent
Syphilis: A Disease of the Immoral
Conclusion: Medical Science in Popular American Magazines

LC Card Number: 88-5585

LCC Class: PN4784

Dewey Class: 070.4


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