Tropical Medicine as a Discipline - Historical Development and Colonial Context

Explore the complex history and socio-political implications of tropical medicine in this 46-minute lecture from Yale University's "Epidemics in Western Society Since 1600" course. Examine how the field emerged as a distinct medical discipline in the late 19th century, coinciding with the peak of Western colonialism in Africa and Asia. Analyze the Eurocentric approach that characterized early tropical medicine and its role in supporting colonial expansion. Investigate the discipline's evolution from a tool of colonial subjugation to its modern challenges in addressing social determinants of health and native populations' needs. Delve into the medical and institutional factors that shaped tropical medicine, and consider its lasting impact on global health perspectives.