Genealogy and History Fan

Have you ever read a historical article, novel or old death certificate and come across a strange sounding ailment or disease? The following are some of the more common diseases or sicknesses and what they were called in “bygone days”.

Pneumonia might be called Lung Fever or Winter Fever. Tuberculosis was commonly called Consumption, but might also be described as African Consumption, Galloping Consumption or Lung Sickness. Influenza was La Grippe or Grippe.

The common cold might be called Coryza. General terms for infection were Corruption of Mortification. Anemia was Green Sickness. Skin infections were sometimes called St. Anthony’s Fire. A boil was called a Whitlow.

Tonsillitis was known as Quinsey. Other names for Malaria were Congestive Fever or Remitting Fever. Ague was the persistent recurring chills and fever of Malaria. If a person suffered a stroke it was called Apoplexy.

Small pox was also known or Black Pox. A concussion might be listed as a Commotion. Whooping Cough was called Chin Cough. A sun stroke was known as Brain Fever. Various types of mental illnesses were called Bethlehemite.

I recently saw a number of these diseases listed as cause of death on an 1870 Mortality Schedule. Hope this list helps you identify some “strange” sicknesses that really aren’t so strange after all.

What would it have been like to have been a medical patient in the early part of the 19th century?  Depending on your ailment you could have been blistered, bled,  purged and medicated with lead, mercury and opium. Never the less, this time period has been dubbed “the golden age of medicine”. The title was earned because of the great strides in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and surgical procedures. For example, the stethoscope was invented in 1819 by a French physician, Rene Laennec. A number of illnesses were discovered and named after the physicians who discovered them. Some of the most well known are Addison’s, Bright’s, Hodgkins, Parkinson’s, and Graves’, diseases.

There were very few medical schools in the United States in the early 1800’s. Most physicians learned their trade as apprentices to established physicians. Some who had the means, went to Europe or to India to study medicine. As interest in medical training increased, more U. S. medical schools were created.

It is reported that ether was discovered for it’s anaesthetic effects in 1842 by Crawford Long. It seems that doctors and medical students at the time were inhaling ether at parties. Dr. Long observed that those men, after inhaling, didn’t feel pain if they fell, were cut, or hurt in any way. Soon Dr. Long performed surgery on a friend who Long insisted inhale ether before the operation. The successful operation was performed pain free! This began a new era for doctors and their patients.

However by the mid 1800’s, there still were very few U. S. hospitals. Less than 300 were scattered throughout the country. Most were located in large cities and were primarily for the mentally ill. Hospitals had a bad reputation and were a place to be avoided. Most patients chose, when at all possible, to be treated by their own doctors in their own homes.

My 4^th great uncle, Dr, Samuel A. Wort (1791-1863), was a physician and surgeon. He practiced medicine in Brownstown, Indiana for over 40 years. He helped form The Jackson County Indiana Medical Society in 1851, and was elected their first president. One of their goals was “the cultivation and advancement of medical science and literature and the elevation of the standard of professional education”.

In 1854 Dr. Sam wrote a rather extensive paper concerning the misunderstood and dreaded disease Cholera. He noted that he had first become acquainted with Cholera while in Calcutta in 1816. He described the different types of Cholera, symptoms, and treatments. After reading this article I certainly could see why Cholera was so horrible and dreaded. A person could feel fine in the morning but be dead by evening from the worse cases of Cholera.

Dr. Sam had 6 wives (4 died) and 9 children. He also found time to own and run a hotel!

He publicly cautioned the citizens of Jackson County against taking too many patent medicines. He said they can irritate the bowels, tax the liver, and destroy health. He further stated that these medicines give much business to doctors - to the great detriment of the community! It seems that Dr. Wort wasn’t afraid to say what he believed.  I’m glad to be related to a caring man who devoted most of his life to helping others.