What type of pathology would focus on how diseases affect the body as a whole?

General pathology is the branch that studies the fundamental processes of disease and how these processes affect the body as a whole. This field encompasses the mechanisms, causes, and effects of diseases regardless of the organ or system involved, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of pathological changes. General pathology provides insights into how diseases develop and progress, exploring cellular changes, inflammation, and healing processes.

In contrast, special pathology focuses more on specific diseases typically associated with particular organs or systems, examining particular disease entities' characteristics and effects. Clinical pathology involves laboratory analysis of blood, urine, and tissue samples to diagnose disease, concentrating on the interpretation of laboratory results rather than the overall effect of diseases on the body. Surgical pathology deals with the examination of tissues removed during surgery to diagnose disease, which is narrower in scope as it focuses on the tissues' pathological findings rather than a broad understanding of disease processes across the body.