History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Medical Geography of Illinois 15had the superior system of medicine. With some exceptions, both seemedto have taken a candid view of the matter. The natives from the beginninghad confidence and faith in the white man's medicine, at least until the nearapproach of death. Likewise, the whites early respected the Indian's medicines,which respect, strange to say, has continued to the present time aswitness the credulous crowds that assemble about any quack today whooffers for sale Indian medicines "guaranteed" to cure all sufferers. Someexceptions should be noted; for example, the French and Iroquois weresuch bitter military enemies that one had no faith whatsoever in the medicalpractices of the other.Many early European explorers were interested in the indigenous diseasesin America, primarily for the purpose of finding new treatments andcures for their own afflictions. This led them to observe and study more intensivelythe Indian diseases in order better to recognize and diagnose diseasesin general. It should be pointed out that at this period, differentiationof disease by the Europeans themselves was very primitive and at times notgreatly superior to the diagnoses made by the Indian medicine men. Also,at that time the main emphasis was placed on therapy rather than diagnosis.Physicians in that early period were not numerous; they were not givento long or very accurate accounts of their experiences. When more completereports appeared many years later, the exotic diseases from Europe hadinfiltrated the continent, making it difficult to differentiate between theforeign and the original indigenous afflictions.Paleopathology has been able to contribute important data that concernat least some of these ancient native diseases. The comprehensive work ofMoodie 5 devotes a chapter to "Disease Among the Pre-Columbian Indiansof North America." Most of his paper is devoted to a lengthy catalogue ofskeletal lesions together with references to the literature. Many traumaticconditions are listed:skull fracture, arrowpoint wounds, and fractures ofclavicle, arms, femur and hip. Among systemic diseases he mentioned exostoses,periostitis, the arthritides, caries, and doubtful syphilitic lesions.Arthritis deformans and osteoarthritis of several bones were included, andtumors were noted but were rarely found. The Indian's knowledge ofsurgery was primitive, and major surgery was unknown. The use of ligatures,bloodletting, excisions by flint instruments, abscess drainage, removalof small tumors, cleverly devised splints for fixation and protection,crutches, bandages for fractures and chest fixation, were known but practicedonly by certain tribes. Major amputations were probably not done,and the use of crude anesthesia was limited to a few surgical dislocationsand fractures.6Moodie, R. L.: Paleopathology. University of Illinois Press. Urbana, Illinois. 1923.