Abstract
There have been various kinds of diseases and a lot of patients for a long time in Japan. Before the Edo Era, there were mainly acute infectious diseases and during the first half of the Meiji Era, acute infectious diseases became increasingly prevalent. Then, chronic infectious diseases such as veneral disease, tuberculosis and leprosy became a big question throughout the later part of the Meiji Era, the Taisho Era and early in the Showa Era.
Today almost all infectious diseases have been conquered, but in their place, other difficult and troublesome diseases have appeared. They are so called adult diseases such as apoplexy, cancer, heart trouble etc. and social diseases such as occupational diseases, pollution diseases and ones caused by medicine or food.
It should be pointed out that the lower classes have suffered most from the diseases throughout all these periods. A lot of patients have appeared in the lower classes and a family which has a patient in it is apt to be poorer and poorer after the attack of diseases. Especially, after the Meiji Era when capitalism was formed, diseases which have a close relation to capitalism became a problem. In this situation, most patients are in the lower classes, too.
Since 1960's, there have appeared some diseases striking the middle and upper classes. However, we must consider the fact that families which have patients in them have a tendency to fall into poverty and the lower classes.
