ON INFECTIONS AND WAR

Abstract

War is unfortunately associated with the history of humanity,moreover, the destruction of the basic infrastructure of societies, including environmental sanitation and the lost of civilizational mechanisms for controlling violence favor the spread of multiple infectious diseases. In this brief account using non-specialized historical sources, some of the historical contexts in which infections further enhanced and overshadowed the ominous atmosphere of war are reviewed. From the siege of Caffa through both world wars an the initial use of biological weapons,to the importance of the Elysée Treaty,an inspirer of forgivness and reconciliation are briefly described.