LABORATORY MEDICINE AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO CLINICAL CARE; A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVELaurette Geldenhuys

Dalhousie University

CDHA, Halifax

Declaration of Conflict of Interest

None

Objectives

At the end of the presentation participants will have an enhanced understanding of The historical development of laboratory

medicine, including Surgical Pathology Cytopathology Autopsy Pathology

The important role of laboratory medicine in the advancement of clinical care over the last century

Egyptian Era

Edwin Smith Papyrus – 17th century BCE

Papyrus Ebers – 1550 BCE

Bone injury Trachoma Ulcerating lumps –

cancer? Parasites

Greek Era

Hippocrates of Cos – 460 – 370 BCE

Humoural theory of the nature of disease

Crab-like growth of cancer

Inflammation Haemorrhoids Malaria Tuberculosis

Roman Era

Cornelius Celsus – 30 BCE – 38 CE

De Re Medicina – 1478 – first medical book ever printed

“Notae vero inflammationis sunt quatuor, rubor et tumor, cum calore et dolore”

Roman EraGalen

129 – 201 CE Pergamus, Asia Minor Temple of Asclepius 500 books Seats of Disease;

Abnormal Tumours Sarcoma – raw meat Bloodletting Fifth sign of

inflammation – loss of function/throbbing

Humoural theory

Four elements and humours Fire – yellow bile Earth – black bile Water – phlegm Air – blood

Four qualities Hot, dry, wet, cold

Arab Medicine

Avicenna – 980 – 1037 CE

Canon Medicinae Influenced by

Galen

Europe

Monasteries Italian universities

Pathology as a Specialty

Antonio Benivieni – 1443 – 1502

Florence Case histories,

autopsies De Abditis Nunnullis

ac Mirandis Morborum et Sanctionum Causis – About the Hidden Causes of Disease

Terms “Pathology” and Physiology”

Jean Fernel – 1497 – 1558

Paris Morbis

Universalibus

Blood circulation

William Harvey – 1578 – 1657

De Motu Cordis et Sanguinis

Demise of humoural theory

Microscope

Hans and Sacharias Janssen – 1580 – 1638

Robert Hooke – 1635 – 1703 – cell

Antony van Leeuwenhoek – 1632 – 1723

Giovanni Batista Morgagni

1682 – 1771 De Sedibus et Causis Morborum per

Anatomen Indagatis – About the Seats and Causes of Disease Through Anatomical Investigation

640 autopsies, clinicopathologic correlation Colposcopy Sinus of Morgagni; Columns of Morgagni;

Foramina of Morgagni; Hydatid of Morgagni; Morgagni's hernia