Jenny Sure, M. A.

In her doctoral dissertation project, she examines the interaction between the sphere of the body and the sphere of the mind in the development, manifestation and prevention of feverish illnesses focusing on the situation in German-speaking countries in the 18th century. The present study examines the significance of imagination and emotions, or ‘passions of the soul’, in connection with feverish states, particularly but not exclusively for medical practice. Published case studies that provide concise descriptions of diagnoses, symptoms and treatment, as well as popular contemporary health advise literature and medical treatises, are essential sources for this project. The extensive collection of printed works by Johann Storch (also known as Pelargus, 1681–1751), who worked as a city physician and court physician in Eisenach (located in modern-day Thuringia), serves as an important case study. The theme of the passions of the soul is a recurrent and prominent theme in Storch's writings on feverish illnesses.
She is currently also investigating the influence of the media on the emergence and regulation of fears of disease. The selected case study endeavours to analyse the reception and response of Germany and Austria to a foreign epidemic, specifically the yellow fever outbreaks that occurred in southern Europe and America around 1800. Without certain knowledge of its mode of transmission and the climate and environmental conditions necessary, a widespread state of panic concerning a potential outbreak of yellow fever emerged many European countries where the disease did not prevail.