Herlihy Analysis

Both Paul Steiner and David Herlihy both argue the importance of disease in two time periods in affecting the future. However, how they affect history is argued differently among the two. Herlihy focuses on the Black Death as removing the “stalemate” within Europe so it could transform from medieval to modern while comparing and contrasting the epidemic with that of AIDS, as Samuel Cohn Jr. explains in his introduction of Herlihy’s essays (1-5). Steiner argues the case that disease did play a role in the Civil War that may have helped the Union side while also stating that it was only for certain cases it was obvious the part disease had (26-42). I agree with Herlihy and Steiner that disease has an influence on our actions and behaviors, therefore

Herilhy focuses on the economy, demographic system, and cultural/social norms that are altered. First there are the negative effects- Guillaume de Machaut describing in a poem the desertion and death of people, leaving jobs unfilled even when offered two-three times their salary so beggars and such are hired in their place (41). The same goes for last rites and confession, being told to admit to whoever is around by bishop Ralph of Shewsbury due to losses of the Church, thus the value of the service diminished (41-45). However, this was only the negative perspective while there seemed to be numerous more positive ones. Matteo Villani describes how the common people were now enjoying a lavish due to high wages become a norm after the Black Death (47-48). Not only this, but Herlihy also argues technological advancements, suggesting the increased numbers of literate laymen demanded more books and therefore Johann Gutenberg’s printing press was the end result of a string of failed creations to solve this problem

Much of his evidence is records of the amount sick and dead and witness reports, beginning with the Confederate campaign for Western Virginia. Here, over 5000 confederate soldiers were out sick throughout the time in this region and less than 1000 Union soldiers due to mainly measles, diarrhea and dysentery, typhoid fever, pneumonia, and malaria (55-58). It is obvious in this instance, the North was aided by disease, though they wouldn’t in the next case. The South Carolina coast campaign was influenced by disease first with General David Hunter abandoning James Island and the malaria outbreak there, then General Ormsby Mitchel being halted from taking action or making further action due to yellow fever, resulting in a withdrawal (71-73). It is important to note that the Union was not the only one to suffer, but they suffered more for a few reasons. A table is provided that shows that the North had 52,178 on sick list and 724 deaths, of which malaria had 3,866 cases- the Confederates faced larger numbers (1862-1863- 41,539 cases) but knew where it was prevalent and how to handle it, thus having less of a drastic effect than it had on the Union