On the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Serbia.

摘要

In their fine article, Toncev et al. [1] presented the results of their epidemiological study on the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in a circumscribed region of central Serbia, just south of Belgrade. In order to place this work in context, we need perhaps to recall what this science is about.'In these considerations lie the germs of a science, which, in an ideally complete form, would furnish a medical history of mankind [and] will give: firstly, a picture of the occurrence, the distribution, and the types of the diseases of mankind, in distinct epochs of time, and at various points of the earth's surface; and, secondly, will render an account of the relations of these diseases to the external conditions surrounding the individual and determining his manner of life. And this science I have named, from the dominating point of view, the science of geographical and historical pathology.