Definition of isolation

The word "isolation" can be traced back to the late 1600s, where it was derived from the Latin verb "solāre," which means "to make entire" or "to heal." The concept of isolation in medicine emerged during the Age of Enlightenment, as it became apparent that certain diseases could spread from person to person. In 1665, an outbreak of bubonic plague swept through London, claiming thousands of lives. The English physician John Hamilton called for the quarantine of infected individuals to prevent the spread of the disease, a practice that would later be known as isolation. The word "isolation" itself, however, didn't appear until the late 17th century, when it was coined by the British physician James Grahame. Grahame used the term to describe the deliberate separation of infected patients from healthy ones, with the goal of preventing further transmission of disease. Today, the concept of isolation has evolved beyond its medical origins to encompass a broader range of meanings. Isolation can refer to the deliberate separation of individuals or groups from others for a variety of reasons, including quarantine, solitude, or political imprisonment. Its historical roots in medicine continue to shape contemporary uses of the word, however, as the practice of isolating infected individuals remains a fundamental part of modern disease management.