h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: A 19th Century View of Fever - A87745783
Author: Florida Sailor - U235886

This is an historical entry, not a medical one. Any suggestions or additions (in a moderate way) are most welcome. I do not want to turn this into an overly technical piece. I have already linked an edited entry on malaria, other possible links are welcome. I hope you enjoy.

FS

Perhaps you could expand this to mention the common treatments for fever in those days ?

I think goal fever should be gaol fever - though I have seen goal fever sweeping through the packed terraces of my youth.

Thanks McKay
That's what I get for trying to write in a foreign language goal - gaol in my parts we spell it jail.




Excellent suggestion. I will have to do a bit more re-search, at first glance it appears to involve bed-rest and blood-letting.

FS

Added section on treatment.

FS

One to link to when you discuss blood-letting? A885062

Link added

I like it!

Your last paragraph seems to suggest that their observations were different than our modern observations. I think you meant to say that their conclusions were different.

TRiG.

Hi TRiG



The point I intended was that their observations were limited to the available equipment and understanding of the 19th century, modern conclusions are based on electronic microscopes and an understanding of an entire layer of cytology that was not even conceived of at the time.

Perhaps I could word that better?

FS

The 2012 definition of the term "fever" is an elevated temperature, i.e. pyrexia. I have not read anything which would lead me to believe that the 19th century physician would not also consider fever to be an elevated temperature. "Fever" is a specific term.

It would seem to me that you wish to define fever as synonymous with illness.

For this to stand as an article in the main guide it would need referencing to primary sources to support your opinion, clearly, that what you describe is actually what the 19th century viewpoint of "fever" however my conviction is the 19th century physician saw fever as an elevated temperature, indeed the sources I have reviewed suggest Fahrenheit was measuring blood temperature in 1712 noting elevations from the norm.

I am not sure if there is an article(s) on all the more historical diseases here in the guide but if there is not perhaps there should be.

Did you not read this part of the entry?



This publication is available at Google Books and can be read by anyone interested. The listing of "fevers" is almost verbatim from the original source, although the explanations come from modern sources.

I am most willing to listen to any constructive criticism, however I see no useful advice in your post.
FS

ddn, Here is a list of a few of the diseases I am talking about;

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/intermittent+fever

Here is a list of a few of the diseases I am talking about;

oops ment to add;

The fact that the term "fever" is used for a mild elevation of body temperature is an indication of the success of modern medicine. I stand by my entry.

FS

Added a section on "What is Fever" and expanded the concussion a bit. I did not understand that some people today do not associate fever with specific diseases.

FS

I like this entry, which isn't surprising considering I enjoy reading FloridaSailor's articles.
I would perhaps suggest adding a couple of links to relevant articles in appropriate places in the text?

A44342606 - Florence Nightingale
A53320565 - AIDS HIV - Visible Features

<BB<

Thank you <BB< .

Links added.

FS

Fever is found in almost every inhabited part of the world. Its occurrence is affected by temperature, terrain and elevation. Fever is rarely seen when the temperature drops below 40°F as the temperature rises the frequency and severity of fever increases until it reaches a plateau at about 100°F. <<<

You write this in the present tense - so I presume this is a fact that holds true today? I am surprised, as I'd not have assumed this to be so.

Also, as someone who doesn't immediately grasp Fahrenheit, would you put the temperature in Centigrade in brackets for those who only use this scale please?



Fever is most prevalent in marshy areas where there is an abundance of decaying vegetation. It was observed that fever was fairly rare in forested wilderness areas, but increased dramatically when the trees were cut and fields ploughed.<<<

Again, I am intrigued - is this relating to Malaria? or other fevers as well - also is this also from the past or present time period?


People livng near deserts are almost exempt from most fevers. A good example of the effect of elevation is Rome, Italy where fever is common, in nearby Tivoli some 300 feet higher in elevation cases of fever are rare. This same phenomenon is seen in many areas of the world. << ditto query here too FS


I agree with the reviewers who say this is a very interesting Entry, and I would like to see it selected for the Guide. A great subject!

Thank you, Lanzababy for your comments. I have updated a few parts and added a few thought to address your concerns. I have moved most of the verbs to past tense to reflect the historical intent of the entry, although I have left the headers in present tense to reflect the title of the work. In some remote areas these conditions still occur.

F S

Thanks FS That is much better Just a nitpick - you've an extra zero on the °C - I think it should be 4, not 40°C.


Lanzababy

This is really .

I'm thinking of Molly Malone, 'She died of a fever, and no one could save her...'