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...
Architecture has developed in response to the epidemic. The city was designed to mitigate the risk of outbreaks. However, its high population density renders it susceptible to epidemics. A potential solution to this issue involves the construction of a water supply and sewage system, which safeguards individuals from waterborne infectious diseases (e.g., cholera) by effectively separating and burying water and sewage underground. Nonetheless, the advent of vaccines has facilitated the existence of megacities with populations exceeding 10 million people. Indeed, microorganisms predominantly populate the Earth. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”