DISEASES, EPIDEMICS, FAMINES, AND THEIR IMPACTS IN THE MOSULI COMMUNITY SOCIETY IN THE 18TH CENTURY

Abstract

The city of Mosul was a fertile ground for several waves of epidemics and famines that struck it during the 18th century, which had demographic, economic, and cultural impacts on Iraqi society. Based on this, the research dedicated a section to discussing the factors and conditions that contributed to the spread of these diseases and famines in Mosul during this period and their economic and social repercussions on the Mosuli community.

The researchers chose the 18th century because the city was subjected to epidemic attacks from diseases such as plague, cholera, and smallpox, in addition to several waves of price inflation, which were natural occurrences given the deteriorating health and environmental conditions of the population during this period. Among the most prominent reasons were ignorance, weak health awareness, the spread of ponds and swamps, and rising food prices.

The research consists of an introduction and three main sections. The first section focuses on reviewing the key reasons and factors that provided a suitable ground for the spread of diseases and epidemics. The second section is dedicated to discussing the diseases and epidemics that swept through the city during the research period. The third section focuses on the waves of price inflation that affected the city during this time.