History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

114 History of Jiledical Practice in IllinoisTh -iw the first use of quarantine placards in Chicago, whereduring the year there had been 30 deaths from smallpox and 147 fromcholera.At the meeting of the Illinois State Medical Society in Yandalia. Dr.N S Davis gave the annual address on "Phthisis: The Influence of AlcoholicLiquors Either in Preventing or Curing Tuberculosis.'' He : describedthe most popular treatment as rest, cold air, exercise, proper nutrition,cod liver oil, fat meats, etc., plus alcoholic liquors and stimulants. He listedthe effects of alcohol on the human system as follov.resence in theblood produces temporary exhilaration or excitement of the nerve structures;(2) diminishes excretion of carbonic acid from the lungs, diminishesthe change of color from arterial blood, diminishes generally the organicchanges in the system: and (3> depresses body temperature and 1muscular tone. Dr. Davis expressed his opinion that alcohol does tend tomake drunkards and to perpetuate the vice of intemperance. He arguedforcibly against the use of alcoholic drinks in the therapy of tuberculcDr. E. R. Roe of Bloomington. speaking for the Committee on MedicalPractice, gave a lengthy discourse on calomel and ptvalism. Dr. P. A. Allaireof Aurora spoke of the use of chloroform and itseffects.Dr. F. R. Payne of Marshall discussed the medicinal properties and usesof iodine as a tonic, as a cure for phthisis pulmonalis and in treatment ofdyspepsia.Dr. Samuel Thompson, also speaking for the Committee on MedicalPractice, cautioned that there are'more false facts than false theoriesLoose observations, careless records and careless gneraliiations can lead tonothing but error. ... It is careful recorded observations, not rememberedobservations, that are needed as contributions to medical science."There was discussion of periodic or seasonal fevers— typhoid, malaria,variola, milk sickness, pneumonia—and of the preservation of milk.As there was no agreement among physicians as to what should be calledtyphoid fever, a questionnaire was sent to all physicians asking: 'Hadtyphoid occurred in your neighborhood? Describe what were the symptoms:Dr. Daws was a prolific writer. One wonders how he found time for this in additionto a busy practice. He wrote on such varied subjects as the "History of the MedicalProfession from the First Settlement of the British Colonies in America to 1783"; "ThePathology of Fe e Specific Nature and Communicability of Erysipelas and itsConnection with Puerperal Fever"; "The Sanitary Characteristics of Chicago in-and an illustrated book on the "History of the American Medical Association from itsOrganization to January 1555." It would almost seem that a biography of the life andactivities of Dr. Davis would give a moderately reasonable account of Medicine in Illinoisfrom 1S50 to 1904.