1554 FERNEL, Jean François (1497 – 1558)
Medicina. 3 pts.
The first systematic treatise on pathology, which also introduced the names for the sciences of pathology and physiology. In the second part, entitled “Pathologia”, Fernel provided the first systematic essay on the su…
GMN 2271 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/2838
1736 AMYAND, Claudius (1660 – 1740)
Of an inguinal rupture, with a pin in the appendix caeci, incrusted with stone; and some observations on wounds in the guts.
First recorded successful appendectomy. Amyand was Sergeant-Surgeon to George II and first principal surgeon to Westminster Hospital. See also the paper in Surg. Gynec. Obstet., 1953, 97, 643-52, which reproduces part…
GMN 3559 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4073
1812 PARKINSON, John William Keys (1785 – 1838)
Case of diseased appendix vermiformis.
First case of appendicitis reported in English, and the first in which perforation was recognized as the cause of death. John Parkinson was the son of James Parkinson (No. 4690).
GMN 3560 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4074
1824 LOUYER-VILLERMAY, Jean Baptiste (1776 – 1837)
Observations pour servir à l’histoire des inflammations de l’appendice du caecum.
Report of two cases of fatal peritonitis due to perforation of the appendix. Of this paper, H. A. Kelly says, “It at once established a definite place for lesions of the appendix in the category of recognized diseases”.
GMN 3561 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4075
1827 MÊLIER, François (1798 – 1866)
Mémoire et observations sur quelques maladies de l’appendice cécale.
Mélier was the first to show the existence of chronic appendicitis; he recognized the causal relationship between the chronic affection and abscesses of the right iliac fossa and was first to suggest operative interve…
GMN 3562 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4076
1848 HANCOCK, Henry (1809 – 1880)
Disease of the appendix caeci cured by operation.
First recorded successful operation for peritonitis due to abscess in the appendix. Hancock was surgeon to Charing Cross Hospital, London.
GMN 3563 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4077
1867 PARKER, Willard (1800 – 1884)
An operation for abscess of the appendix vermiformis caeci.
Parker was the first American to operate for appendicitis. In this paper he described a case from 1864, but mentioned a case he had operated on as early as 1843. He advocated the opening of the appendicular abscesses …
GMN 3564 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4078
1880 SANDS, Henry Berton (1830 – 1888)
On perityphlitis.
Sands published an account of 26 cases, in which he had operated successfully in all but two. His later publications show that he recognized the early signs of perforation of the appendix, and he advocated and practis…
GMN 3565 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4079
1884 FENWICK, Samuel (1821 – 1902)
Clinical lectures on cases of difficult diagnosis; perforation of the appendix vermiformis.
In 1884 Fenwick advocated tying off and removal of the perforated appendix.
GMN 3566 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4080
1886 FITZ, Reginald Heber (1843 – 1913)
Perforating inflammation of the vermiform appendix, with special reference to its early diagnosis and treatment.
A conclusive demonstration of the pathology and symptoms of disease of the vermiform appendix. Fitz invented the term “appendicitis”; his paper, which records 25 cases collected by himself, convinced physicians of the…
GMN 3567 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4081
1886 HALL, Richard John (1856 – 1897)
Suppurative peritonitis due to ulceration and suppuration of the vermiform appendix; laparotomy; resection of the vermiform appendix; toilette of the peritonaeum; drainage; recovery.
This is believed to be the first reported case of survival after removal of a perforated appendix. Hall worked with William Halsted during the 1880s and participated in Halsted’s experiments with cocaine as a local an…
GMN 3568 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4082
1887 WOODBURY, Frank (1848 – 1927); MORTON, Thomas George (1835 – 1903)
Cases of exploratory laparotomy followed by appropriate remedial operation.
Thomas George Morton (1835-1903) was one of the first deliberately to operate for and remove the inflamed appendix after correct diagnosis, April 1887. The patient survived. Case reported by Woodbury.
GMN 3569 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4083
1889 MCBURNEY, Charles Heber (1845 – 1913)
Experience with early operative interference in cases of disease of the vermiform appendix.
Describes (p. 678) “McBurney’s point”: “The seat of greatest pain, determined by the pressure of one finger, has been very exactly between an inch and a half and two inches from the anterior spinous process of the ili…
GMN 3570 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4084
1890 TAIT, Robert Lawson (1845 – 1899)
Surgical treatment of typhlitis.
Lawson Tait was the first British surgeon to diagnose acute appendicitis and to treat it by removal of the appendix (May 1880). See J. A. Shepherd, Lawson Tait. The rebellious surgeon. Lawrence, Kansas, Coronado Press…
GMN 3570.1 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4085
1895 BATTLE, William Henry (1855 – 1936)
Modified incision for removal of the vermiform appendix.
“Battle’s incision”.
GMN 3514 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/3988
1905 KELLY, Howard Atwood (1858 – 1943); HURDON, Elizabeth (1869 – 1941); BRÖDEL, Max (1870 – 1941)
The vermiform appendix and its diseases. With 399 original illustrations, some in colors, and 3 lithographic plates.
The first comprehensive book on the pathology of the appendix. Many of the illustrations are by Max Brödel. Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.
GMN 3571 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4086
1908 ASCHOFF, Karl Albert Ludwig (1866 – 1942)
Die Wurmfortsatzentzündung.
Aschoff’s theory of the enterogenous origin of appendicitis.
GMN 3572 · https://historyofmedicine.com/id/4087
