>But generations before did not suffer from this epidemic, so what is it that's making us so allergic in our modern world? How do we know this is true? I alway

>But generations before did not suffer from this epidemic, so what is it that's making us so allergic in our modern world? How do we know this is true? I always assumed some middle aged lady in 1803 had just the same problems with ragweed as any of us. In absence of contrary evidence, this of course is the logical assumption. If we are talking about things like eczema and asthma, I'm more inclined to believe this, but I'd still like to see some evidence.