Although we may not completely acknowledge it, the 1800s constituted revolutionary medical innovations that aided in the development of modern medicine. While many common medical technologies can be traced back to this period, we often wonder which ones came to define modern medicine successfully. Much of today’s medicine can be traced back to foundational principles of the 19th century, including germ theory and sterilization. A key diagnostic device also commonly used by doctors today – the stethoscope – is another example of a medical tool developed in the 1800s. Additionally, advancements in pharmaceuticals have been made during this period, as seen with the launch of the first vaccinations, which went on to save millions of lives globally. It’s difficult to imagine how different life prior to the 1800s was. These 3 medical advancements of the 1800s are just a few of the incredible discoveries from this revolutionary period.
- The stethoscope by Rene Laenecc
We should all be familiar with this innovation as it’s an extremely common sight at the doctor’s office. Before this invention, life was dramatically different as physicians would have to listen to the human ear to perform physical examinations. In addition to this being an awkward interaction, it was also inaccurate as the sounds were often muffled, and results varied based on the physician’s hearing and ear placement. With the invention of Laenecc’s stethoscope in 1816, all of these problems could be solved in one go. Today, the basic principle of this device remains unchanged and has stayed one of the most important medical devices as it has saved countless lives.
- Quinine and its cure for malaria
Before the 17th-century introduction of the quinquina tree to Europe by the Spanish, South Americans often used this plant to treat fevers. During this period, it was discovered that the tree bark could create a special remedy. This was created by drying it and then grinding it to a fine powder, which was often mixed with a liquid like wine. No one knew why this protected against malaria. In 1820, Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Bienaimé Caventou successfully isolated the active ingredient of the bark and could synthesize it on a larger scale. The standard treatment for malaria was officially replaced with the new isolated quinine and became part of the world’s first clinical trials from 1866-1868. Before synthetic alternatives replaced it in the 1920s, quinine was the standard treatment for malaria. However, the World Health Organization still recognizes quinine as one of the world’s most important medical innovations.
- The highly-used aspirin
The sensational drug salicylic acid (proto-aspirin) was first isolated by a French chemist by the name of Charles Henri Leroux in 1829 but was later improved upon by Raffaele Piria, an Italian, in 1838. Acetylsalicylic Acid, the true aspirin, was developed in 1853 by Charles Frederic Gerhardt, who mixed salicylic acid with an extra acetyl group. However, its birth was quickly forgotten. The more recognizable tablet form we’re familiar with today was developed by German chemist Felix Hoffman after he rediscovered Gerhardt’s findings and believed it could solve problems connected to earlier preparations. Prior to this, patients often suffered from extreme nausea and vomiting due to the salicylic acid. He later gained legal rights from the government, and the Bayer Company bought the patent because they realized its potential and began mass production in the 19th century. Salicylate derivatives from the bark of various trees have been known to relieve pain for about 4,000 years, since the time of the Sumerians. Mesopotamians, Chinese, and Ancient Greeks also observed this. According to the International Aspirin Foundation, 35,000 metric tonnes of aspirin are produced and consumed each year, with the World Health Organization also recognizing it as one of the world’s most significant medical innovations.
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