Transference

Definition

A historical belief that disease could be transferred from a sick person to something else, such as an animal.

Used by Edexcel

Paper 1

The belief in transference produced treatments such as strapping a live chicken to a bubo. People hoped that the disease would pass from the patient into the animal. Prayer also remained important to people who believed plague was a punishment from God.
Revise: Case Studies: William Harvey and the Great Plague

Create a free account to read GCSE History revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.

GCSE History · key term

A historical belief that disease could be transferred from a sick person to something else, such as an animal.

Used by Edexcel

Paper 1

The belief in transference produced treatments such as strapping a live chicken to a bubo. People hoped that the disease would pass from the patient into the animal. Prayer also remained important to people who believed plague was a punishment from God.
Revise: Case Studies: William Harvey and the Great Plague

Create a free account to read GCSE History revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.