Category: History of medicine

Scientific evidence, gathered from bones and ancient DNA, suggests that cancer is arguably the longest known disease, with fossil evidence dating back 1.7 million years in a human ancestor. However, the distinction for the longest known infectious disease to afflict modern humans often falls to tuberculosis, with evidence spanning tens of thousands of years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), average life expectancy increased dramatically in the 20th century, largely due to public health interventions and medical breakthroughs. This progress led to the eradication and control of numerous infectious diseases. Read on to learn what diseases were cured in the 20th century.

While famously featured in the fantasy series *Game of Thrones*, milk of the poppy is a fictional concoction that has a clear real-world parallel. The question, 'How strong is milk of the poppy?' can be answered by examining its historical and pharmacological counterparts: potent, unpredictable, and highly addictive.