"Disease and commerce are among the most powerful forces that have shaped the modern world. They are also closely intertwined: over many centuries trade has been the single most important factor in the spread of diseases. In this groundbreaking book, Mark Harrison provides the first major international history of contagious illness and of commerce."--Book jacket.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [327]-363) and index.

Merchants of death --War by other means -- The evils of quarantine -- Quarantine and the empire of free trade -- Yellow fever resurgent -- A stranglehold on the East -- Plague and the global economy -- Protection or protectionism? -- Disease and globalization -- Conclusion: sanitary pasts, sanitary futures.