Vuorinen H S, Mussalo-Rauhamaa H
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Vesalius. 1995 Jun;1(1):31-5.
The health and well-being of children depends on many factors. These factors may include: 1) geographic location, 2) genetic composition of the population, 3) existence of parasites and their hosts, 4) previous history of diseases (e.g. immunity) and 5) socio-economic structure (Grmek 1989). During the last two centuries, industrialized societies have successfully manipulated several of these factors for the benefit of children. But what were the possibilities in pre-industrial societies to improve public health and to promote the health of children? The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between public health and the health and well-being of children during Antiquity (roughly 500 B.C.-500 A.D.). To realize this aim, both written and archeological evidence was considered. Unfortunately both types of sources are biased, their data being defective with regard to children. Public health was not a major topic of interest for ancient authors (medical or others). There are few archaeological studies which have concentrated on public health aspects (e.g. water supply, sewers, housing conditions) of ancient societies.
儿童的健康和幸福取决于许多因素。这些因素可能包括：1）地理位置，2）人口的基因构成，3）寄生虫及其宿主的存在，4）既往疾病史（如免疫力）以及5）社会经济结构（格雷梅克，1989年）。在过去的两个世纪里，工业化社会已成功地为了儿童的利益对其中一些因素进行了调控。但在前工业化社会，改善公众健康和促进儿童健康有哪些可能性呢？本研究的目的是考察古代（大致公元前500年至公元500年）公众健康与儿童健康和幸福之间的关系。为实现这一目的，书面证据和考古证据都被纳入了考量。遗憾的是，这两类资料都有偏差，它们的数据在涉及儿童方面存在缺陷。公众健康并非古代作者（医学作者或其他作者）感兴趣的主要话题。很少有考古研究专注于古代社会的公众健康方面（如水供应、下水道、住房条件）。
