An analysis of the concept of miasm in the light of the state of medicine as existing in 18th Century Europe

Abstract

This paper reviews the circumstances in which the concept of miasm (acute and chronic) evolved and how subsequent developments in the field of medicine, most notably in the realm of infectious disease have improved our understanding about the nature of diseases and brought into question the validity of the miasm theory. It concludes with an emphasis on the need to further refine the homeopathic concept of disease.