Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

emulsion. To the strained emulsion, with agitation, gradually add of
bichloride of mercury (in coarse powder), 15 grains previously
dissolved in distilled water, 1/2 pint. After which further add enough
water to make the whole measure exactly 1 pint. Then put it in
bottles. This is used as a cosmetic by wetting the skin with it, and
gently wiping off with a dry cloth. It is also employed as a wash for
obstinate eruptions and minor glandular swellings and indurations.
This noxious preparation was first marketed in 1792.
1883 First clinical use of the sphygmomanometer (Basch et al., 1883).
1819–1892 ‘I love doctors and hate their medicine.’ Walt Whitman.
1884 Carl Koller anaesthetised the cornea with cocaine. Coca previously
had been chewed in leaf form in South America for its stimulant
properties (Spillane 1995).
1885 In an article by Prince A Morrow entitled ‘The Aetiology and
Pathogenesis of Drug Eruptions’ the author explores the different
current views and concludes that ’idiosyncrasy’ is based upon a
recognition of their neurotic character. He gives as predisposing
causes: the relative fineness and sensitiveness of the skin of women
and children, especially blond children; heredity, nervous irritability,
hysteria, spinal injuries, and other neuroses, eczema and
idiosyncrasy (Morrow, 1885) (see 77 AD and 1874).
1887 Discovery of Phenacetin (acetophenetidin).
First electrocardiogram recorded in man (Waller, 1887). First
commercial model available in 1908.
Dr Broadbent ’I have seen deaths in acute rheumatism of a kind
quite new and strange to me, after prolonged administration of
salicylate of soda every four and six hours.’ (Broadbent, 1887).
1888 Paul Ehrlich first described aplastic anaemia, although this name
was not used until 1904 (Young, 1996; Erhlich, 1888).
1890 Multiple forms of mercury compounds given to infants and children
such as laxatives, teething powders, antihelmintics, nappy (diaper)
rash creams and the first organic mercurial antiseptic
mercurochrome led to a condition known as acrodynia or pink
disease. Although described as early as 1890, the role of mercury
was not confirmed until 1948.
1891 The first use of passive immunisation when a young boy with
diphtheria was cured by an injection of diphtheria antitoxin (Singer &
Underwood, 1962). Pirquet and Schich discovered serum sickness