История на медицината

04/12/2025

Diphtheria is caused by the toxin released from the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. The most common form —respiratory diphtheria — affects the nose and throat, forming a thick gray coating. If left untreated, it can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system, and can even lead to death. The most common way to spread diphtheria is through close contact with an infected person’s coughs and sneezes. A dependable vaccine was developed in the early 1920s to reduce pediatric deaths.

During World War II, the U.S. Army did not initially vaccinate soldiers for diphtheria, believing that the risk was low, due to prior immunity. However, cases quickly rose in the South Pacific, North Africa, and Europe. In 1945, the U.S. Army began universal immunization against diphtheria, successfully eliminating the disease within the Armed Forces.

Image: This illustration shows the throat of a person with symptoms of diphtheria. In this rare case, the bacteria was transmitted by a cat and patient died. Artist, possibly E.C. Moncure, date unknown. OHA 229.27.12

29/11/2025

that epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world?

During National Epilepsy Awareness Month, we are highlighting recent medical advancements in the treatment of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures, due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The Epilepsy Center Neurology Clinic has tirelessly researched new neurostimulation devices and surgical techniques that are less invasive than current treatments for epilepsy.

Neurostimulation is a process that uses electrical stimulation to change brain activity and reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. Implanted devices stimulate specific areas of the brain to detect seizure patterns early or provide regular stimulation to seizure networks. While these are still in clinical trials, they may greatly help service members and civilians who have epilepsy.

Brain, specimen, subdural hematoma due to trauma, post-traumatic confusion, epilepsy (clinical), (MIS 53-17603-1). OHA 233.05 Medical Illustration Service (MIS) Library. Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine.

29/11/2025

Stomach: Healthy or diseased?

Diseased: This patient had a rare form of stomach cancer known as linitis plastica. This type of cancer is characterized by a thickening of the stomach wall, which begins in the stomach's lining and may then spread to the muscles in the stomach wall. As the cancer develops, the stomach becomes thick, hard, and rubbery, which is why this condition is also known as a “leather bottle stomach.”
AFIP 0049460

14/11/2025

Before the discovery of insulin, individuals with diabetes faced limited life expectancies. This was because medical interventions were lacking, and there wasn’t much doctors could do.

By 1920, scientists had established that diabetes resulted from an insufficient production of insulin in the pancreatic islets. However, attempts to extract insulin from pancreatic cells proved unsuccessful.

However, Frederick Banting suggested a different way to isolate insulin. He met with scientist John Macleod to formulate a plan.

Banting, along with his research assistant Charles Best, initiated a series of experiments.

In 1921, they successfully isolated insulin from a dog's pancreas.

The critical next step was to apply this extract to treat diabetes and their experiments were first met with failure, but they persisted.

By November 1921, they achieved a milestone: keeping a diabetic alive on their insulin extract for 70 days. In December, they welcomed biochemist James Collip to the team, with the specific goal of refining and concentrating the insulin extract.

In January 1922, the first person received an insulin injection. Fourteen-year-old Leonard Thompson's high blood sugar levels had dropped, but he still had high levels of ketones. After Thompson's first injection, Collip worked to purify the insulin extract. Thompson received his second injection on January 23. This time, Thompson's blood sugar levels became near-normal.

In January 1923, Banting, Collip, and Best secured American patents for insulin and its production process. They chose to sell their patents to the University of Toronto for one dollar, exemplifying their commitment to the greater good. In the words of Banting himself, "Insulin does not belong to me; it belongs to the world."

Eli Lilly became the first manufacturer to mass produce insulin, and the first commercial supply of insulin was distributed in late 1923.

Banting and Macleod received the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Banting split his half of the prize money with Best, and Macleod split the other half with Collip.

13/11/2025

The National Museum of Health and Medicine will reopen on Friday, Nov. 14 with regular hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

08/11/2025

03/11/2025

03/11/2025

Before the age of antibiotics, one disease haunted humanity like no other: syphilis. It spread rapidly through Europe from the late 15th century onward, leaving behind blindness, paralysis, dementia, and grotesque facial disfigurements. In its final stages, the disease could collapse the bridge of the nose, earning it the cruel nickname “the great imitator” for mimicking countless other illnesses.

And the so-called cure? Mercury. Doctors prescribed it in ointments, pills, and even v***r baths, believing “a night with Venus leads to a lifetime with Mercury.” But mercury poisoning often killed patients faster than the disease itself. It wasn’t until 1928, when Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, that syphilis could finally be treated effectively—and millions of lives were spared from agony.