Alan MacFarlane is Professor of Anthropological Science at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of King's College. In 1986 he was elected a Fellow of the British Economy. His previous books include The Origins of English Individualism, (1978) Marriage and Love in England (1986) and The Culture of Capitalism (1987), all published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

"Presents a compelling reading of the lost world which gave birth to our own." THES

• Acknowledgements. References, Conventions and Measures.Introduction.Part I: The Trap:.1. The Malthusian Trap.2. Two Islands.Part II: Wars of Peace:.3. Natural Environment, Culture and Human Labour.4. The Destruction of War.5. The Nature, Causes and Elimination of Famine.6. Food and Nutrition.Part III: In the Body: .7. Dysentery, Typhoid, Cholera and the Water Supply.8. Drink: Milk, Water, Beer and Tea.9. Two Methods for the Disposal of Human Excrement.Part IV: On the Body:.10. Vector-borne Diseases: Plague, Typhus and Malaria.11. Public Environs: Streets, Fields and Markets.12. Housing and Health.13. Textiles, Clothing and Footwear.14. Bodily Hygiene: Bathing and Washing.15. Changing Concepts of Dirt and Cleanliness.Part V: In the Air:.16. Air-borne Diseases: Smallpox, Measles and Tuberculosis.Part VI: In the Womb:.17. Fertility, Marriage and Sexual Relations.18. Biology and Contraception.19. Abortion and Infanticide.20. Strategies of Heirship.Part VII: Outcome: .21. Design and Chance.Index.