Facets

1786

#2466

Animalcula infusoria fluviatilia et marina, quae detexit, systematice descripsit et ad vivum delineari.

Müller was the first to attempt a systematic classification of infusoria. He published several papers on the subject, the best being the above posthumous work. Muller described 8 species of the genus Vibrio (included …

1791

#5833.2

Praktische Beobachtungen über verschiedene, vorzüglich aber über jene Augenkrankheiten, welche aus allgemeinen Krankheiten des Körpers entspringen.

“This is the first monograph ever published dealing with ocular signs of systemic disease. It deals with lacrimal fistulas, trichiasis, adhesions of the lids, lid ulcers, ephiphora, and ocular inflammations. He illust…

1794

#8004

Demostracion de las eficaces virtudes nuevamente descubiertas en las raices de dos plantas de Nueva-España, especies de ágave y de begónia, para la curacion del vicio venéreo y escrofuloso ...

Balmis conducted experimental trials on the effectiveness of two Mexican plants, agave and begonia, which were believed, according to folk medicine practices in Mexico, to cure syphilis and scrofula. The trials confir…

1795

#5336.3

An essay on the malignant pestilential fever introduced into the West Indian Islands from Boullam, on the coast of Guinea, as it appeared in 1793 and 1794.

Chisholm, "Surgeon to his Majesty's Ordnance in Grenada," was apparently the first to observe the mode of transmission of the Guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis. Chishom was also one of the first to recognize that th…

1798

#11796

An entire new treatise on leeches, wherein the nature, properties, and use of that most singular and valuable reptile, is most clearly set forth.

Digital facsimiel from WellcomeLibrary.org at this link.

1799

#9070

Ensaios sobre algumas enfermidades d'Angola....

Azeredo noted that the tropical fevers found in Brazil and Angola were very similar. He claimed to have achieved excellent results with his “new method” of treatment, which included the use of quinine, nux vomica, ars…

1800 –1801

#5837

Mémoire sur l’ophtalmie régnante en Egypte.

The great military surgeon Larrey served during the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt, where he was the first to observe the contagiousness of trachoma shortly after the successful invasion in 1798. The disease spread to E…

1801

#8372

Observations on the increase and decrease of different disease, and particularly of the plague.

Heberden observed that the number of deaths from dysentery sharply decreased over the 18th century, but that deaths attributed to apoplexy increased. Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1801

#12053

Observations sur la maladies appelée peste, le flux dissentérique, l'ophtalmie d'Égypte, et les moyens de s'en préserver. Avec des notions sur la fièvre jaune de Cadix, et les projet et plan d'un hôpital, pour le traitement maladies épidémiques et contagieuses.

At the time of publication Assalini, a military surgeon with Napoleon, characterized himself on the title page as "Docteur en Médecine et Chirugien de 1re classe de la Garde des Consuls..." Digital facsimile from well…

1804

#5481

Neue Ansichten der Hundswuth, ihrer Ursachen und Folgen, nebst einer sichem ehandlungsart der von tollen Thieren gebissenen Menschen.

Zinke transmitted rabies from a rabid dog to a normal one, and to a rabbit and a hen, by injection of saliva and proved the disease to be infectious. Digital facsimile from wellcomecollection.org at this link.

1807

#5839

An account of the ophthalmia which has appeared in England since the return of the British Army from Egypt.

Vetch described trachoma.

1808 –1810

#2449

Entozoorum, sive verminum intestinalium, historia naturalis. 2 vols.

A system of helminthology. Rudolphi gave the name “echinococcus” to the common vesicular hydatid, describing three species. Digital facsimile from Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link .

1809

#11403

Observationes in Ordines plantarum naturales. Dissertatio prima complectens Anandrarum ordines Epiphytas, Mucedines, Gastromycos et Fungo.

Link described Polyangium, the first bacterium to be described that is still recognized today. Link also described Penicillium for the first time.

1810

#2467.1

L’Art de conserver, pendant plusieurs années, toutes les substances animales et végétales….

The first workable process for canning foods. In 1795 Appert began developing the process under Napoleon’s auspices as a way to maintain food on military expeditions. For strategic reasons he was not allowed to publis…

1812 –1817

#2160

Mémoires de chirurgie militaire, et campagnes. (Vol. 5 entitled Relation médicale de campagnes et voyages.) 5 vols.

Larrey was the greatest military surgeon in history. Of him Napoleon said: “C’est l’homme le plus vertueux que j’ai connu”. He was present at all Napoleon’s great battles and one of the few who stood by him on his abd…

1814

#216.1

A treatise on the supposed hereditary properties of diseases, containing remarks on the unfounded terrors and ill-judged cautions consequent on such erroneous opinions; with notes, illustrative of the subject, particularly in madness and scrofula.

Adams was a pioneer in medical genetics. He distinguished between familial and hereditary diseases, saw that an increase in hereditary disease frequency in isolated areas could be caused by inbreeding, and suggested t…

1816

#11799

A treatise on the medicinal leech; including its medical and natural history, with a description of its anatomical structure; also, remarks upon the diseases, preservation, and management of leeches.

Digital facsimile from the Hathi Trust at this link.

1817

#2468

Vergiftung durch verdorbene Würste.

Botulism first described. Kerner published an expanded study as Neue Beobachtungen über die in Würtemberg so häufig vorfallenden tödtlichen Vergiftung durch den Genuss geräuchter Würstem, Tübingen, 1820. He published …

1817

#1843

Mémoire sur l’émétine, et sur les trois espèces d’ipecacuanha.

Isolation of emetine. It was not until a century later that Vedder demonstrated its value in the treatment of amoebiasis. Also during 1817 Magendie and Pelletier published "Recherches chimiques et physiologiques sur l…

1818

#5182.1

Practical observations on fever, dysentery and liver complaints as they occur amongst European troops in India. With introductory remarks on the disadvantages of selecting boys for Indian military service.

Ballingall distinguished between amoebic and bacillary dysentery. Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1819

#12115

Entozoorum synopsis cui accedunt mantissa duplex et indices locupletissimi.

In this work Rudolphi detailed the life cycle of nematode parasites of mankind, such as the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. Digital facsimile from Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.

1821

#5336.4

Description of the calcified cysts of trichinosis in human muscle. (A brief notice with no title).

1821 –1832

#10167

Systema mycologicum: Sistens fungorum ordines, genera et species, huc usque cognitas, quas ad normam methodi naturalis determinavit. 3 vols.

Fries's work represents the beginning of mycological nomenclature. Digital facsimile from Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.

1821

#10647

Phytographie médicale, ornée de figures coloriées de grandeur naturelle, ou l’on expose l’histoire des poisons tirés du règne végétal, et les moyens de remédier a leurs effets délétères, avec des observations sur les propriétés et les usages des plantes héroïques. 2 vols.

Perhaps the most beautiful book on botanic poisons and their antidotes, including narcotics. Plates 1-15 cover mushrooms, and plate 175 depicts Cannabis sativa. With 180 plates printed in color à la poupée and finishe…

1822

#9071

Memoria sobre a virtude toenifuga da romeira, com observações zoologicas e zoonomicas relativas á toenea, e com huma estampa.

On the use of a root medicine to treat tapeworms, roundworms and similar parasites. The author refers to cases from Portuguese Africa, India and Brazil, and gives clinical observations based on his own case studies, s…

1824

#5022

A practical essay on typhous fever.

Nathan Smith left a classic account of typhoid; this was reprinted in Med. Classics, 1937, 1, 781-819 He clearly recognized the contagious nature of the disease.

1825

#11800

Histoire naturelle et médicale des sangsues, contenant la description anatomique des organes de la sangsue officinale, avec des considérations physiologiques sur ces organes; des notions très-étendues sur la conservation domestique de ce ver, sa reproduction, ses maladies, son application, etc.

Digital facsimile from Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.

1826

#5481.1

Die Geschichte der Hundswuth und der Wasserscheu und deren Behandlung.

A full account of rabies, summarizing current knowledge, with a bibliography of about 300 items.

1829 –1832

#109

Observations on the organs and mode of fecundation in Orchideae and Asclepiadeae.

Discovery, in 1831, of the cell nucleus. First issued as a separate pamphlet: Observations on the Organs and Mode of Fecundation in orchideae and asclepiadeae ... [with:] Additional remarks ... London, [privately prin…

1829

#5023

Recherches anatomiques, pathologiques et thérapeutiques sur la maladie connue sous les noms de gastro-entérite; fièvre putride, adynamique, ataxique, typhoïde, etc. 2 vols.

Louis introduced the term “typhoid fever” in reference to the disturbed mental condition of the patient; he first described the lenticular rose spots. His book established the pathological picture of the disease. Engl…

1830

#5153

On the glanders in the human subject.

Proof that glanders in the horse is communicable to man.

1830

#5183

Hospital facts and observations.

First record (p. 149) of the use of emetine in the treatment of amoebiasis.

1830

#11452

Organisation, Systematik und geographische Verhältniss der Infusionsthierchen. Zwei Vorträge, in der Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin gehalten in den Jahren 1828 und 1830.

In this work Ehrenberg first published his classification of infusioria, including the naming of bacteria for the first time. The work published two papers based on his expeditions. The first, read on January 10, 1828…

1833

#5336.5

Notes of a peculiar appearance observed in human muscle, probably depending upon the formation of very small cysticerci.

Hilton described Trichinella spiralis and suggested its parasitic nature.

1834

#13415

Mémoire comparatif sur l'histoire naturelle de l'insecte de la gale.

Raspail first described and illustrated the Sarcoptes scabei, diffrentiating it from the horse's sarcopt and the cheese moth that Galès and Patrix, followed by Alibert, had confused with the scabies parasite. Raspail …

1835

#109.1

Einige Bemerkungen und Fragen über das Keimbläschen (vesicula germinativa).

Wagner saw and described the nucleolus.

1835 –1836

#2532

Del mal del segno calcinaccio o moscardino malattia che affligge i bachi da seta e sul modo di liberarne le bigattaje anche le piu infestate. 2 vols.

Bassi preceded Louis Pasteur in the discovery that microorganisms can be the cause of disease (the germ theory of disease). He discovered that the muscardine disease of silkworms--a disease that was destroying the sil…

1835

#4027

Thèse inaugurale sur la découverte de l’insecte qui produit la contagion de la gale, du prurigo et du phlyzacia.

Demonstration of the human itch-mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. It was due to Renucci that the Sarcoptes was recognized as the one cause of scabies and its parasitic nature finally accepted.

1835

#5337

Description of a microscopic entozoon infesting the muscles of the human body.

While a first-year student at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, James Paget discovered trichina in muscle during dissection. Richard Owen, his teacher, named it Trichina spiralis and published an account, barely mentioning …

1836

#5023.1

Observations on continued fever, as it occurs in the city of Glasgow hospitals.

Perry correctly described many of the distinctions between typhus and typhoid.

1836

#5207

Animalcules observés dans les matières purulentes et le produit des sécrétions des organes génitaux de l’homme et de la femme.

First description of Trichomonas vaginalis, which Donné at first believed to be the pernicious agent in gonorrhoea. He later recognized that the organism is a normal inhabitant of the female genital tract. By this wor…

1837

#674

Vorlaüfige Mittheilung betreffend Versuche über die Weingährung und Fäulniss.

Proof that putrefaction is produced by living bodies. Independently of Cagniard-Latour, Schwann discovered the yeast cell. He is regarded as the founder of the germ theory of putrefaction and fermentation.

1837

#5154

De la morve et du farcin chez l’homme.

In this treatise on glanders and farcy in man Rayer showed that glanders is contagious, but is not a form of tuberculosis. Rayer began the work with a thoroughly documented historical chapter. Digital facsimile of the…

1837

#5024

On the typhus fever which occurred at Philadelphia in the spring and summer of 1836; illustrated by clinical observations at the Philadelphia Hospital; showing the distinction between this form of disease and dothinenteritis, the typhoid fever with alteration of the follicles of the small intestine.

Gerhard, a pupil of Louis, correctly differentiated between typhus and typhoid. Part of his paper is reproduced in R. H. Major, Classic descriptions of disease, 3rd ed., 1945, p. 174.

1838

#111

Die Infusionsthierchen als vollkommene Organismen. 1 vol. and atlas of 64 hand-colored engraved plates.

In this monumental work in folio format Ehrenberg extended Otto Friedrich Müller’s bacteriological classification. Like Müller, he made no distinction between protozoa and bacteria, classing them both as infusoria. Hi…

1838

#112.1

Ueber die Analogie in der Structur und dem Wachsthum der Thiere und Pflanzen.

Schwann’s three-part preliminary application of Schleiden’s “watch-glass” cell theory to the genesis of animal cells. Schleiden communicated the theory to him verbally. This paper actually pre-dates Schleiden’s first …

1838 –1857

#11117

Anatomie microscopique. Tome premier: Histologie. Atlas de cinquante-deux planches. Tome second: Histogénèse. Atlas de quarante planches. 2 vols.

This work was issued in parts over nearly 20 years. Parts concerned specific subjects and were sold separately. Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link, and at this link.

1839

#113

Mikroskopische Untersuchungen über die Uebereinstimmung in der Struktur und dem Wachsthum der Thiere und Pflanzen.

Mainly devoted to the investigation of the elementary structure of animal tissues, Schwann’s Untersuchungen had an important bearing on the development of the doctrine of the cell structure of animal tissue. In this w…

1839

#4029

Zur Pathogenie der Impetigines.

The discovery of a fungus as the cause of favus (Achorion schönleinii). Schönlein communicated this important discovery in a letter of less than 200 words and one illustration. It represents the first conspicuous step…

1839

#5517

Auffindung von Pilzen auf der Schleimhaut der Speiseröhre einer Typhus-Leiche.

Discovery of Candida albicans, which Berg (No. 5518) showed to be the causal organism in thrush.