The Gifts of Civilization: Germs and Genocide in Hawaii

by O. A. Bushnell

Overview

In 1778 Captain James Cook made his first visit to the Hawaiian Islands. The members of his expedition and subsequent visitors brought to the previously isolated Hawaiian people new things, novel ideas, and, of greatest consequence, devastating alien germs. The infectious diseases introduced since 1778 have claimed more Hawaiian lives than all other causes of death combined.

During their long isolation in space and time, Hawaiians had not been exposed to the many microbes that afflicted populations in other parts of the world. They had developed no immunity to those germs and gained no experiences to enable them to endure the sicknesses the newly introduced germs caused. That terrible vulnerability to foreigners' diseases has almost destroyed Hawaiian society and culture.

The nine essays in this collection discuss the impact of these "gifts of civilization" upon the native Hawaiian people and upon the social history of Hawai‘i. Dr. Bushnell constructs a concise historical framework, including an examination of the native medical profession, and interprets the few facts known about it in light of present knowledge in the medical sciences. He presents information, opinions, and conclusions harvested from many years of thinking about the fate of native Hawaiian people, studying all the relevant documents, and writing about this and related subjects.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780824814571
Publisher:	University of Hawaii Press, The
Publication date:	02/01/1993
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.76(d)

About the Author

O.A. Bushnell is the foremost historical novelist writing about Hawaii today. His other books include Molokai, The Return of Lono, The Stone of Kannon, and The Water of Kane.

Editorial Reviews

Bushnell is emeritus professor of medical microbiology and medical history at the U. of Hawaii, and also a historical novelist. In nine essays, he discusses the profound and various impacts on a long isolated people of infectious diseases brought by Captain James Cook in 1778 and subsequent visitors. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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