The Politics of Physicians' Responsibility in Epidemics: A Note on History

Fox examines the history of the behavior of the medical profession in and the United States during epidemics of contagious diseases. Guilds, orders, hospitals, and the state routinely had physicians under. During epidemics, civic leaders and later governmental bodies used and social incentives and disincentives to recruit additional. Plague outbreaks seem to have raised professional consciousness in ethical codes and treatises proliferated, but ethical concern was still a motive than economic interest or fear of loss of status. Fox maintains despite changes over the centuries in medical practice and in the social of physicians, there has been continuity in how the profession to the threat of contagion. He predicts that professional to civic obligation will continue, and that physicians who take lead in AIDS treatment will be rewarded with access to research funds and status. (KIE abstract)