Plague and pestilence in literature and art

"Plague and Pestilence in Literature and Art" by Sir Raymond Henry Payne Crawfurd is a deep exploration of how big outbreaks of disease have been shown in stories and art over time. The book looks at how different societies have reacted to these health crises and the mental effects they have had on people throughout history. It starts by pointing out that literature is often overlooked as a way to understand epidemics, even though it provides valuable insights into the human experience of disease, and it complements medical texts that focus on symptoms. Crawfurd discusses the basic human reactions to disease, noting that societies can sometimes become violent or superstitious during outbreaks, also using historical events and cultural examples shows the relationship between outbreaks, human feelings, and creative expression, and it sets the stage for a deeper examination of suffering and how it's shown through art.