One hundred seventy years ago, tuberculosis was a lethal disease. This illness posed a significant threat to humanity, resulting in an estimated 1 billion deaths between 1700 and 1900. Notably, traces of tuberculosis have been found in the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings. In the late 1840s, German botanist Hermann Brehmer, confronted with the fatality of tuberculosis, relocated to the Himalayas in search of fresh air. Remarkably, he survived and is believed to have successfully fought off Mycobacterium tuberculosis in that less favorable environment for bacterial growth. As a result, numerous nursing homes emerged across Europe and the United States, including specialized facilities for tuberculosis care and luxury accommodations for the affluent. However, by the 1940s, many of these nursing homes began closing due to the emergence of antibiotics, which drastically changed their economic viability. Throughout history, it seems that economic value often proves transient. - Joseph’s “j...
The first civilizations of mankind originated in arid climates. The Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations are examples. A city is relatively safe from infectious diseases if it is drier than wet. The key is water. It is a river where there is water while it is dry. Therefore, the shape and location of the river are important. A dry, watery zone is formed when the river flows from north to south. In other words, the city was born under the influence of disease. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”