From Endemic Diseases to Pandemics at High Latitudes in Modern Eurasia: Toward a New “Imperial Medicine”

The exploration of how societies throughout history have responded to disease and the influence of humans on the occurrence of disease can unearth important insights on humanity, culture and history. The study of the history of humans and disease can paint an invaluable picture of opinions about disease, limitations and how to prepare for future challenges. Associate Professor of Cultural Policy and Management Chiho Miyazaki is a historical researcher based at Shizuoka University of Art and Culture who is conducting research on the history of medicine, endemic diseases and cultural interactions, with a focus on Eurasia. Through her historical research, she wants to unravel the relationship between diseases and humans and shed light on diseases and the nature of humans. One component of Miyazaki’s research is better understanding the modernity of medicine and disease response in the late 19th century as, during this time, capitalisation and industrialisation advanced apace and people moved across regions, encountering new diseases. This has an impact on the widespread fear of disease, as well as medical progress. Miyazaki is working to clarify disease response, epidemiological thinking and the development of medical and sanitary methods in the context of imperial colonisation and governance. She is conducting empirical research on individual cases in different regions of Eurasia and examining and comparing these cases.