汉晋时代的“瘴气之害”

西汉对南越战事中因“暑湿”导致“士卒大疫”的历史记录,或许应当看作对“瘴气”危害的早期记忆。而《淮南子·地形》所谓“障气”,可能就是“瘴气”。东汉至于晋时对南方的开发,留下了更多有关“瘴气”的文字遗存。当时人对于“瘴气之害”的地理分布及其季节性特征,已经有了初步的认识。总结和分析相关文化信息,对于理解汉晋人与自然环境的关系,显然是有益的。一些学者在对“瘴气”的研究中使用了文化学和心理学的方法。对相关历史现象进行病理学和生态学的研究和解释,或许更为重要。

Miasma Epidemic during the Han and Jin Dynasties

The account of the miasma epidemic possibly dates back to the historical records of the epidemic due to the damp and hot during the war between the Han Empire and the Nanyue Kingdom. The so called ‘Zhangqi’ in the Huainanzi possibly also refers to miasma. Further detailed historical records on miasma existed while the southern China was exploited during the Eartern Han and Jin Dynasties. The spatial distribution and the seasonal characters of the miasma epidemic were recognized. The analysis and systemization of the relevant culture will improve our understanding of the relation between the human being and the physical environment. Cultural and psychological methods have introduced into the research of miasma. Whereas biological and pathological researches would be more effective.