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Miasma

The word miasma is derived from Post-Classical Latin, derived from the Greek word

miainein which means to pollute. The word Miasma has two main meanings that are similar

but are different is distinct ways.

The original meaning, the first i will be discussing, at its most basic means "bad air".

A little more in depth it refers to an atmosphere, fog, or vapor that is foul smelling, unpleasant,

noxious, and or poisonous. This word accurately describes things like foul smelling swamps

or rooms full of tobacco smoke. In the past from the middle ages up until about the 1850's

this definition of miasma had a more important meaning. The Miasmatic theory of disease

was the theory that disease was spread through miasmas or foul smelling airs. This was

an easy connection for people to make because places that were filthy and bacteria ridden,

such as sewers or places with decaying matter, usually smelled quite bad. During these

times......

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Approximate Word Count: 598
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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