September 24, 2025

More Than Hot: A Short History of Fever

18 minutes

Traces the historical understanding and treatment of fever, revealing its evolution from a broad, subjective experience to a precisely measured symptom. Initially, fevers were considered protean diseases with varied subjective symptoms and were often attributed to factors like damp environments or a configuration of circumstances, with the Hippocratic texts detailing various case descriptions and the concept of "critical days." The text then explores the influence of Galen's humoral theory, which linked fevers to imbalances in four bodily fluids and became the dominant medical framework for centuries, even influencing the perception of "putrid fevers." As medicine progressed, the focus shifted towards anatomical investigation and the rise of specific disease categories, with figures like Sydenham challenging traditional theories while still relying on some theoretical language. The document highlights the emergence of social and psychological dimensions of fever, including the idea of fevers reflecting societal failings or emotional states, and the development of commercial fever remedies. Finally, it details the advent of thermometry and modern medical approaches, such as the identification of specific microbial agents and the practice of fever nursing, while also exploring the modern cultural perception of fever in popular media and the ethical considerations surrounding temperature-altering treatments.

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