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History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

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CHAPTER XIIIOTOLARYNGOLOGYBy ALFRED LEWY, M.D.* and FRANCIS L. LEDERER, M.D.fTHEIntroductionspecialties <strong>of</strong> otology and laryngology have different orig<strong>in</strong>s, forthe early otologists were surgeons who were accustomed to use <strong>of</strong>the syr<strong>in</strong>ge, the scalpel and the treph<strong>in</strong>e, and the early laryngologists werephysicians who extended their <strong>in</strong>terest and their knowledge to diseases <strong>of</strong>the chest. Rh<strong>in</strong>ology is apparently the most ancient <strong>of</strong> the <strong>medical</strong> specialtiesfor it was that <strong>of</strong> the earliest physician known, Seklet'enanch (about3500 B.C.), a <strong>medical</strong> attendant <strong>of</strong> Sahura, one <strong>of</strong> the Pharaohs <strong>of</strong> the 5thDynasty. A legend "He healed the K<strong>in</strong>g's nostrils" appears on a limestoneslab depict<strong>in</strong>g the physician and his wife.Folk-lore, folk-medic<strong>in</strong>e and the mores give numerous <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g referencesto superstitions, beliefs and a host <strong>of</strong> bizarre therapeutic <strong>in</strong>terpretations.The Bible, the Talmud, and Ch<strong>in</strong>ese, H<strong>in</strong>du and Greek anthologyconta<strong>in</strong> much <strong>of</strong> correlated <strong>in</strong>terest. Hippocrates made significant statements<strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g an unusual degree <strong>of</strong> understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> cl<strong>in</strong>ical ear, noseand throat. Throughout history, classical descriptions <strong>of</strong> diseases and casehistories reveal superior anatomic knowledge by those versatile geniuseslike Leonardo da V<strong>in</strong>ci (1452-1519), Andreas Vesalius (1514-64), BartholomeusEustachius (1520-74), Gabriel Fallopius (1523-62), and the writ<strong>in</strong>gs<strong>of</strong> Pl<strong>in</strong>y, Papyrus, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Celsus, Aretaeus, Galen,Thomas Willis (1621-75), Joseph Guichard Duverney (1648-1730), AntonioMaria Valsalva (1665-1723), Giovanni Battista Morgagni (1682-1771), Domenico Cotugno (1736-1782) and Antonio Scarpa (1747-1832).Some <strong>of</strong> the anatomical <strong>in</strong>terpretations and diagnostic criteria were somewhatcrude and occasionally philosophy and superstition motivated thethought as well as the therapy. All <strong>of</strong> this makes <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g read<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> thelight <strong>of</strong> the knowledge which was to unfold with the ensu<strong>in</strong>g centuries <strong>of</strong><strong>in</strong>tellectual activities <strong>in</strong> all branches <strong>of</strong> art and science.* Dr. Lewy is a well-known specialist <strong>in</strong> otolaryngology <strong>in</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>ois. He has contributedmany historical papers to medic<strong>in</strong>e. For years he has taken a particular <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> generalscience and <strong>in</strong> the natural history <strong>of</strong> the State.—Editor+ Dr. Lederer is Pr<strong>of</strong>essor and Head <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Otolaryngology at theUniversity <strong>of</strong> Ill<strong>in</strong>ois College <strong>of</strong> Medic<strong>in</strong>e, from which <strong>in</strong>stitution he is a graduate. He wasa protege <strong>of</strong> his University predecessor, Dr. Norval Pierce. Dr. Lederer is well known forhis <strong>medical</strong> contributions and his editorial work. He is a lucid and effective teacher.—Editor280

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