Includes bibliographical references (pages157-182) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- The disease is coming from inside the house! Contagious disease, immigration, and patient zero -- Supernatural contagion : slender man, suicide, violence, and slender sickness -- Ostensio Mori: when we pretend that we're dead -- "Why buy the cow when the milk has HPV?" : the HPV vaccine, promiscuity, and sexual orientation -- The kiss of death -- Conclusion.
Summary:
"Disease is a social issue, not just a medical issue. Using specific legends and rumors, and exploring beliefs and practices that permeate notions of contagion and contamination, Kitta offers insight into vernacular conceptions of health and sickness and how medical and scientific institutions can use cultural literacy"--Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.