[The epidemic in Wenzhou area recorded in Zhang Gang's Diary (1888-1942)].

Abstract

Zhang Gang's Diary (1888-1942) was a private document that recorded the social and public life in Wenzhou during the late Qing Dynasty and the period of the Republic of China, providing resources and historical materials of local epidemics in this period. This paper examines/reviews the epidemic-related content in the diary and the responses of the authorities and the public to the epidemic. It was found that the epidemic triggered panic among the public, and many people turned to seeking blessings and protection from gods and Buddhas. It was also found that traditional Chinese medicine played a positive role in dealing with the epidemic, with numerous cases of effective treatment recorded in the diary. The diary reflected the transformation trajectory of modern society, the introduction of Western medicine providing new options for the public, vaccination gradually becoming institutionalized, and the increasing rise of public health.