History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

124 History of Medical Practice in IllinoisSeveral informative items were presented to the membership at thismeeting: (i) that there had been much sunstroke during 1868; (2) thattyphomalarial fevers were epidemic and these were considered to be typhoidandfever mixed or much modified by malarial and scorbutic influences;(3)scurvy was said to be due to the "want of a proper admixture of succulentvegetables in our food." In the treatment, dietetic measures werethought to be most important. Potassium acetate and potassium chloridemixtures were prescribed. A Civil War soldier wrote to a friend at homeand appealed as follows: "For God's sake, send us something to preventthe scurvy. Give us liver and onions—one and inseparable, now and forever."The "New Nomenclature of Diseases," adopted by the Royal College ofPhysicians of London, was said to be of such merit as to demand recognitionthroughout the medical world.Dr. D. L. Jewett of Watseka reported 200 cases of scarlet fever, with amortality of 6 to 10 per cent divided as follows: simplex 75, anginosa 112,maligna 13.He warned of the sequela of nephritis. He further called attentionto a mild epidemic of measles with slight mortality and durationof 8 to 16 days.The first Chicago milk inspection took place during this year.1870Dr. James S. Whitmire of Metamora reported for the Committee onMedical Practice at the annual meeting of the State Society. He stated thatthere had been much typhomalaria in 1868 due to heavy rains and excessiveheat. The committee suggested that bloodletting was not necessary inpneumonia: "It is too expensive to the constitution and the advantagesgained over the disease are not equal to the waste. It robs the blood of itsvivifying and nutrient materials and lowers resistance." Veratrum viridewas favored over bloodletting.Dr. Charles Hunt of Dixon, chairman of the Committee on Drugs andMedicine, reported that chloral hydrate had been introduced as an excellentand safe hypnotic; that belladonna was recommended in obstinateconstipation; that potassium bromide was recommended in diabetes, andcarbolic acid, both internally and externally, was recommended in cancer.The following articles appeared in the Northwestern Medical and SurgicalJournal: "A Glance at the Rise and Progress of Cell Theories: The CellTheories of Huxley and Virchow" by Dr. I. N. Danforth of Chicago; "TheUse of Veratrum Viride" by Dr. Z. C. McElroy of Janesville, Ohio; "MedicalDomain of the Turkish Bath" by Dr. J.E. O'Brien of New'Jersey. Therewas also published an editorial on "The Origin, History and Therapy ofTrichina Spirales" and an article on "Pathogenesis" by Dr. Jules LeMaire