Human Defense Against Disease Throughout recorded history, people have tried to reduce suffering and disease.

The first attempts consisted of treating the symptoms of disease. Common practice to treat a fever was to put on more quilts and blankets after the causative agent had entered the body! and raise the temperature until the fever "broke." #e now know that the microorganism causing the fever was killed by the high temperature.! $n the ne%t era, we administered a medicine such as penicillin to kill the organism after it had entered the body. The third era is characteri&ed by immuni&ation. Doctors give people an antigen to cause the body to produce antibodies against specific biological agents. This provides immunity so after that agent enters the body, the antibodies will kill it. $n each of the cases mentioned above, e%cept immuni&ation, the treatment is administered after the causative agent had entered the body. $n the mid'()th century, *dwin Chadwick of *ngland and +emuel ,hattuck of -oston, .assachusetts, wrote reports on the sanitary condition of the environment Chadwick, (/012 ,hattuck, (/34!. They emphasi&ed the environment5s role in spreading germs and other causative agents of disease. $n my te%t *nvironmental Health .organ, 1446!, $ acknowledge that through history we have become more knowledgeable about the causative agents of disease and the necessary ways to prevent the occurrence of adverse health effects. This book addresses aspects and mechanisms of immunity and practices to prevent the occurrence of disease. $t identifies four lines of defense to prevent or control disease based upon concepts reported by 7g and Davis ()/(!. 8irst +ine of Defense The first line of defense addresses how environmental health practices can control man' made and naturally occurring environmental conditions and thus prevent disease. *%amples of such controls include water quality management, proper human waste disposal, solid and ha&ardous waste management, rodent and insect control, food safety and sanitation, and others see .organ 91446: for other e%amples!. ,econd +ine of Defense The second line of defense is the body5s ability to adapt to prevent the disease agents from becoming established within it .organ, 1446!. .echanisms that deter disease' causing agents from entering the body include the skin, mucous membranes, cilia in the respiratory tract, secretions of various fluids e.g., saliva, gastric ;uice, tears, and perspiration!. The ears secrete wa% that keeps out undesirable particles. <efle%es also play a role in protecting the body from disease. 7utrition and health condition are important defenses because they help the body resist disease. *%amples of this line of defense include proper nutrition and good personal health practice see .organ 91446: for other e%amples!.

Third +ine of Defense The third line of defense involves cellular and humoral mechanisms .organ, 1446!. Cellular mechanisms include the processes of phagocytosis and inflammation. #hen inflammation occurs, phagoctyes, a type of leukocyte or white blood cell, destroy pathogens involving the lymphatic system. #hen phagocytosis fails, immune mechanisms involving antibodies destroy pathogens. Antigens stimulate the production of antibodies in the body to destroy pathogens. $mmunity can be active or passive see .organ 91446: for further detail!. There are many diseases for which one cannot be immune. 8ourth +ine of Defense Admittedly, when one is in pain, sick, or needs surgery, curative medicine professionals'' doctors, dentists, and nurses''are the professionals one wants to see .organ, 1446!. Conclusion #henever possible, people would rather the pain or sickness be prevented. The role of environmental health, public health, and preventive medicine professionals is important in this respect. Thus, because of the high cost of curative medicine, there is a greater need for the fields of environmental health, public health, and preventive medicine than ever before. The public would rather pay for prevention than the fourth line of defense'' curative medicine. <eferences Chadwick, *. (/01!. <eport on the sanitary condition of the labouring population of =reat -ritain. +ondon> #. Clowes and ,ons. .organ, ..T. 1446!. *nvironmental health. -elmont, CA> #adsworth? Thompson +earning. 7g, +., @ Davis, D.+. ()/(!. ,trategies for public health> Aromoting health and preventing disease. 7ew Bork> Can 7ostrand <einhold. ,hattuck, +. (/34!. <eport of the sanitary commission of the state of .assachusetts report commissioned by the state legislature!. -oston> Dutton and #entworth.