The Victorian era generates a great deal of amusement for its proliferation of "patent medicines," medical fads and general quackery. However, as these articles demonstrate, it was also an era of amazing medical advances. Many of the medical developments that we take for granted - such as anesthesia for surgery and basic prosthetics - have their origins in the Victorian period. It's also amazing, for those of us who remember the "alcoholism is a disease" campaign of the 1980's, to discover that this concept also originated in Victorian days. Here's a look at some of the strides Victorians made in the area of health and medicine.

The First Century of the Republic #19: Medical & Sanitary Progress, by Austin Flint, MD (Harper's Monthly, 1876B)

American medical progress over the past 100 years, including a look at the development of vaccines, some major surgical "firsts," and the development of anesthetics. (Read the complete series.)

Murder by Burial (Century Magazine, 1882B)

The hazards of graveyards to the public health.

Microscopic Labourers and How They Serve Us, by Prof. Percy F. Frankland (English Illustrated Magazine, 1890B)

Primarily about yeast, and the roles of microbes in inoculations.

The Discoveries of Pasteur, Koch and Others, by Mary Putnam Jacobi (Century Magazine, 1891A)

In particular a look at bacteria and the tubercule bacillus.

Glimpses of the Bacteria, by T. Mitchell Prudden MD (Harper's Monthly, 1891A)

How to examine and culture bacteria; a look at some varieties of bacteria; and some commentary on the relationship of science and faith.

The Treatment of Inebriates, (Century Magazine, 1891B)

Medical options for the treatment of alcoholism.

The Public Health, by T. Mitchell Prudden, MD (Century Magazine, 1893B)

On scientific advances in the identification and treatment of diseases, and the need for a government bureau of public health.

Sir James Simpson's Introduction of Chloroform, by Eve Blantyre Simpson (Century Magazine, 1894A)

Dr. Morton's Discovery of Anesthesia, by E.L. Snell (Century Magazine, 1894B)

In this case the anesthesia was ether.

The Public Milk-Supply, by H.W. Conn (Century Magazine, 1894B)

On the value of pasteurizing milk, particularly for children.

Human Patchwork, by George A. Wade (New Illustrated Magazine, 1900)

How various prosthetics are created and fitted, including artificial noses and even, in one case, artificial lips.

A Cure for the Drink and Drug Crave, by Michael Moscow (Strand, 1901A)

The Keeley medical method of curing addictions.

Is There a Cure for Drunkenness? by Fred A. McKenzie (Windsor Magazine, 1902A)

A look at the Keeley method of medical treatment for alcoholism, and evidence that the concept that "alcoholism is a disease" goes back at least to 1902!

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