History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Medical Geography of Illinois 21referred to as early common diseases. Interest in trachoma began duringthe latter part of the iSoo's when it became possible more clearly to differentiatethe several eye infections. Apparently, like other infectious diseases,it was introduced and spread by the early settlers, chiefly into the southernregions of the state where it continued to exist and also evidently to increasefor many years. By the latter part of the 19th century, it became such aserious problem that special studies and surveys were instituted. Fortunatelythe Charitable Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary had been establishedin Chicago in1858 to which these eye cases could be referred fortreatment. Thus over a period of years data became available for comparativestudies.For the period 1880 to 1900, Brown 13 made a tabular study of trachomaas it then existed in all the counties in the state, based upon data collectedat the Infirmary during this period (Fig. 2). Several thousand cases werereported during this 20-year period; only three counties had sent in none,and these were not adjacent. Analysis of the map reveals a definite regionaldistribution,the majority of cases coming from the southern and southeasterncounties. A region along the Wabash River and between theWabash and Little Wabash Rivers was heavily infested. The counties ofJasper, Cumberland, Lawrence, White, Crawford, Pope and Clark standout notably. Secondary regional foci are Perry, Shelby and Jersey in thecentral and western part, and Winnebago County far removed from allother centers in the northern tier of counties.In general, the obliquely running Illinois River primarily marks the uppermargin of the trachoma region in this state. The three trachoma countiesthat are outside this region—Winnebago, Knox and Calhoun—do notrank high in incidence. However, the Illinois region of trachoma extendsrather widely into some of the adjacent states so that the problem is a largerone than is indicated by the data from Illinois only.With the introduction of the causative agent into this region a centuryor more ago, trachoma found conditions favorable not only for gaining afirm foothold but also for its continued progress. The existence of a relativelylow state of sanitation and poverty in widely scattered areas wouldseem to be one of the important endemic factors.Early recognition of aregional distribution has been and will continue to be of assistance in thecontrol and final eradication of the disease. With the more modern treatmentand management of the disease since the beginning of the 20th century,the infection began to recede and in time will undoubtedly cease tobe the pestilence it was for so many years.Intoxications. Milk Sickness: A large region in eastern and centralUnited States comprising at least 11 states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,"Brown, E.V.L.: 1900. Illinois Eye ir Ear Infirmary Report.