ABSTRACT
History tells us that disease has been a part of the living process on this planet for eons. In fact, it is clear that life as we know it, by its very nature, requires that disease processes exist. It is natural, then, that a thinking, reasoning human organism should concern itself with disease and its effects on individuals as well as populations. Diseases that are self-limiting and readily controlled by natural life processes present no major problem for humans, animals, or plants. Our concern is with diseases that are potentially life-threatening or morbidly debilitating.
