13.07.2015 Views

History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

128 <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Medical Practice <strong>in</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>oisThere was a discussion <strong>of</strong> empiricism and the need for experimental support.Treatment <strong>of</strong> erysipelas by subcutaneous <strong>in</strong>jections <strong>of</strong> carbolic acid wasdescribed by Dr. J.S. Whitmire <strong>of</strong> Metamora, and Dr. R. G. Bogue fromthe Cook County Hospital reported on 15 cases <strong>of</strong> tracheotomy <strong>in</strong> diphtheriticcroup with 6 successful results.On January 25th <strong>of</strong> this year, one hundred <strong>medical</strong> men met with counselat the Grand Pacific Hotel <strong>in</strong> Chicago to consult with the Health Commissioner<strong>of</strong> Chicago concern<strong>in</strong>g the prevalence <strong>of</strong> scarlet fever and diphtheriaand the resultant mortality. There was little discussion <strong>of</strong> treatment, thedebate be<strong>in</strong>g almost entirely conf<strong>in</strong>ed tothe question <strong>of</strong> prophylaxis, byboth hygienic and <strong>medical</strong> means. It was the consensus not to issue a formalstatement positively declar<strong>in</strong>g that prophylaxis by <strong>in</strong>ternal medic<strong>in</strong>ewas both valueless and possibly <strong>in</strong>jurious. A committee was appo<strong>in</strong>tedand strict rules were adopted and put <strong>in</strong>to effect relat<strong>in</strong>g to quarant<strong>in</strong>e,care and fumigation. The follow<strong>in</strong>g suggestions were made: (1) Toreport every case to the Health Department; (2) to <strong>in</strong>quire <strong>in</strong>to the orig<strong>in</strong><strong>of</strong> each case, and (3) to take measures to prevent communication betweenthe sick and the well.Through Dr. John F. Snyder's untir<strong>in</strong>g efforts, the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State Board<strong>of</strong> Health and Medical Exam<strong>in</strong>ers was f<strong>in</strong>ally created on May 21, 1877, madeup <strong>of</strong> Drs. J.H. Rauch, William Chambers, A. L. Clark, H. Wardner, R.Ludlam, J.M. Gregory and Newton Bateman. The Board, as organized,made licenses mandatory for the <strong>practice</strong> <strong>of</strong> medic<strong>in</strong>e, <strong>in</strong> spite <strong>of</strong> the factthat Dr. Snyder and many other doctors were thoroughly opposed tolicens<strong>in</strong>g on the grounds that this formed an open<strong>in</strong>g wedge to state medic<strong>in</strong>e.The first audible reproduction <strong>of</strong> recorded sound was accomplished byThomas A. Edison <strong>in</strong> 1877.1878The Committee on Medical Practice <strong>of</strong> the Ill<strong>in</strong>ois State Medical <strong>Society</strong>reported 4446 physicians registered <strong>in</strong> the state. The committee also madea plea to the Governor to give fuller recognition to regular practitioners onthe State Board <strong>of</strong> Health with the suggestion that no one particular school<strong>of</strong> medic<strong>in</strong>e should have a majority on the Board. It was also noted that <strong>in</strong>other states all members <strong>of</strong> similar boards were physicians and that thevalue <strong>of</strong> lay members on such a board was questionable.This committee took cognizance <strong>of</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> "isms" <strong>in</strong> <strong>medical</strong><strong>practice</strong> and reported the apparent decl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> use <strong>of</strong> drugs by doctors. Inits report on malaria the committee asked, "What is it?" The statement wasmade that "<strong>in</strong>termittents" cause some undeterm<strong>in</strong>ed poison that producesparesis <strong>of</strong> ganglionic nerves <strong>of</strong> the solar plexus. Morphia by hypodermic to

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!