Lipoid pneumonia first described.

An important study of the histology of “oat-celled sarcoma” which Barnard showed to be primary carcinoma of the lung.

Brunn’s one-stage lobectomy.

First use of adrenaline by the respiratory route for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Introduction of monovalent antiserum.

Removal of entire bronchiectatic lung; successful.

“Farmer’s lung”.

Introduction of the hilar tourniquet in pulmonary surgery.

Annals of the Pickett-Thomson Research Lab., Vol. 8.

First reported case: April 5, 1933.

Bronchiectasis and sinus maldevelopment associated with transposition of viscera – “Kartageners syndrome”.

Total pneumonectomy.

Hyperventilation syndrome.

Introduction of helium in the treatment of respiratory affections. See also Ann. intern. Med., 1935, 9, 739-65.

Introduction of chest photofluorography or abreugraphy, also called mass miniature radiography.

Clinical proof of the value of sulphapyridine. M & B 693 (sulphapyridine) treatment of pneumonia. This followed the experimental work of L. E. H. Whitby (see No. 1951).

Atypical pneumonia.

In the first case-control epidemiological study of the effects of tobacco Müller recorded a statistically significant correlation between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.  See Alfredo Morabia, "Quality, originality, and significance of the 1939 'Tobacco consuption and lumg carcinoma' article by Mueller, including translation of a section of the paper," Prev. Med., 55 (2012), 171-177. Full text of the 2012 paper from PubMedCentral at this link.

The Eaton agent, isolated from primary atypical pneumonia. With G. Meiklejohn and W. van Herick.

Isolation of a mycoplasma from man.

A case-control study proving an association between heavy prolonged cigarette smoking and bronchogenic carcinoma. See also the following paper on pp. 336-38. Reprinted in J. Amer. med. Assoc. 1985, 253, 2986-97.

A study of 1,465 cases of lung cancer and 1,465 matched controls, which confirmed and extended the studies of Wynder and Graham, and others. See also later papers by the same authors in Brit. med. J., 1952, 2,1271-86; 1956, 2, 1071-81; 1964, 1, 1399-1410.

M. Kuroya, N. Ishida, and T. Shiratori isolated the first recognized Sendai (para-influenza) virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus. With B. Roizman and R. Myers.

A mycoplasma shown to be the cause of some cases of primary atypical pneumonia, or "walking pneumonia." With M. F. Barile.

Pepys and five co-authors showed that thermophilic actinomycetes, especially Micropolyspora faeni, were the cause of farmer’s lung due to mouldy hay.

First major scientific account. With 11 co-authors. Legionnaire's disease acquired its name after an outbreak of a then-unknown "mystery disease" sickened 221 persons, causing 34 deaths. The people affected were attending a convention of the American Legion.

Order of authorship in the original publication: McDade, Shepard, Fraser.... See also p. 1218.

Includes cardiovascular surgery.

The first application of the principles of pathology to the study of pulmonary tuberculosis. Morton showed that the formation of tubercles is a necessary part of the development of this lung disease, and pointed out that the tubercles often heal spontaneously. He noted the enlargement of the tracheal and bronchial glands in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. The book was translated into English in 1694. Chap. I included the first account of anorexia nervosa.

Marten believed that an infectious micro-organism was the cause of tuberculosis, thus forecasting the existence of the tubercle bacillus 162 years before its actual discovery. Though Leeuwenhoek reported seeing bacteria in 1676 he did not believe that his "little animals" caused disease. Martin wrote that tuberculosis may be caused by "wonderfully minute living creatures" that could lead to the lesions symptomatic of the disease, thereby expressing the theory of contagium vivum or 'living contagion'. He went on to state that "it may be therefore very likely that by a habitual lying in the same bed with a consumptive patient, constantly eating and drinking with him, or by very frequently conversing so nearly as to draw in part of the breath he emits from the lungs, a consumption may be caught by a sound person...I imagine that slightly conversing with consumptive patients is seldom or never sufficient to catch the disease."

Baillie was a nephew and pupil of William Hunter. The above is the first systematic textbook of morbid anatomy, treating the subject for the first time as an independent science. See also Nos. 2736, 3167.1. Baillie was the last and most eminent owner of the famous gold-headed cane (No. 6709). His clear and comprehensive description of the pulmonary lesions of tuberculosis could hardly be bettered today; he differentiated the nodular and infiltrating types. Page 87: First clear description of the morbid anatomy and symptoms of gastric ulcer. Baillie is also credited with the first descritpion of transposition of the great vessels in this work.

This book revolutionized the study of diseases of the chest. Auscultation in the instrumental sense dates from Laennec’s invention of the stethoscope (at first merely a roll of stiff paper) with a view to amplifying the sound of the heart’s action. The work illustrates Laennec's wooden stethoscope, which could be purchased from the publishers, and which was advertised for sale on the original printed wrappers of the first edition. Laennec's first wooden stethoscope was in two parts; later he invented a three-part stethoscope.

Laennec was considered the greatest teacher of his time on tuberculosis. Indeed, it was in elaboration of his investigation of the disease that he invented the stethoscope. He established the fact that all phthisis is tuberculous, described pneumothorax and distinguished pneumonia from the various kinds of bronchitis and from pleuritis. “Laennec’s cirrhosis” – chronic interstitial hepatitis – is described on p. 368 of Vol. 1. The second edition, 1826, is even more important, since it gives not only the various physical signs elicited in the chest, but adds the pathological anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of each disease encountered. Laennec died of tuberculosis at the early age of 45. English translation of the first edition by J. Forbes, London, 1821. 

Carson proposed the induction of open pneumothorax for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (p. 64). Later he attempted it on a patient (see his An inquiry into the cause of respiration, etc. 2nd ed., London, 1833, p. 50). The procedure was carried out by Forlanini (see No. 3225).

Louis’ researches were based on 358 dissections and 1,960 clinical cases, and included a numerical study of extra-pulmonary lesions. First edition in English, London, 1835. English translation, Boston, 1836. A translation of the 2nd edition was published by the Sydenham Society in 1844.

Morton published an important collection of illustrations delineating pulmonary tuberculosis which epitomized the knowledge of his time. It was also the first book on the subject published in the United States. Digital facsimile from the National Library of Medicine, Internet Archive at this link.

Bodington was one of the first to advocate the sanatorium treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, with “cold dry air for healing and closing cavities and ulcers of the lungs”. His idea was much criticized and he was discouraged from pursuing it. The first sanatorium to be run on lines similar to those suggested by Bodington was that established by H. Brehmer at Görbersdorf in 1859. The book was reprinted in 1906.

The primary lesion in pulmonary tuberculosis in children (“Ghon’s primary focus”) was first described by Parrot.

Forlanini first discussed the induction of artificial pneumothorax in the above papers; he applied it in 1888. For his report on its application, see Gazz. med. Torino, 1894, 45, 381, 401. English translation in Tubercle, 1934-35, 16, 61-87.

Artificial pneumothorax by pleural incision in intractable haemoptysis. See also Lancet, 1885, 1, 894-95.

Partial lobectomy in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Describes (p. 31) first cure of tuberculosis by removal of lung apex.

Removal of left lung for tuberculosis, April 24, 1895. The patient was alive in 1940; see Bowman, Life and teaching of Sir William Macewen (London, 1942), p. 344.

Brauer’s method of producing artificial pneumothorax by the injection of nitrogen.

First radical thoracoplasty.

Wilms’s operation.

Ghon described the anatomical distribution and development of the lesions in pulmonary tuberculosis among children – “Ghon’s primary focus”. His book was translated into English in 1916. See also No. 3224.

Phrenicotomy in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Jacobaeus introduced adhesion-section with the cautery, to secure collapse in artificial pneumothorax.

Introduction of artificial pneumoperitoneum for the treatment of bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis.

Banyai combined artificial pneumoperitoneum with phrenic nerve paralysis.

The modern era in lung resection for tuberculosis begins with the work of Freedlander. He performed the first planned lobectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis.

“Semb’s operation”.

Third edition, 1953, by W. Pagel, F. A. H. Simmonds, and N. Macdonald.

p-Aminosalicylic acid used in pulmonary tuberculosis. See also his earlier paper in Svenska LäkT., 1946, 43, 2029-40.

First treatise devoted solely to diseases of the larynx. (See also No. 1718.)

Four successful cases. Scott Stevenson and Guthrie (see No. 3342) state that Brasavola performed laryngotomy (in 1546) and that Sanctorius also did so.

Schneider put an end to the idea that nasal mucus originated in the pituitary. He demonstrated anatomically and clinically that the mucous membrane lining the nose (“Schneider’s membrane”) is the source of nasal discharge, and discussed the tonsils, and ocular and lachrymal mucosa in the same way. As a result of his work the ancient doctrine of catarrhal diseases was overthrown, and the olfactory processes were definitely classified as cranial nerves. In Liber tertius (1661) Schneider was also the first to document the adenoid. (Robert J. Ruben, "The adenoid: Its history and a cautionary tale," The Laryngoscope, 127, June 2017, S13-28). 

With Schneider, Lower overthrew the idea that nasal mucus originated in the brain. This discovery localized nasal catarrh in the air passages and put an end to the use of many recipes for “purging the brain”. The Dissertatio was reprinted separately in 1672 and this was reprinted in facsimile with translation, biographical notes, and a bibliographical study by Richard Hunter and Ida Macalpine, 1963.

Virgili is said to have performed successful tracheotomy at Cadiz, for quinsy (peritonsillar abscess)

Jourdain reported a method of washing out the antrum of Highmore through the natural opening.

First successful operation on a tumor of the maxillary sinus, 1789.

First important work on diseases of the nose and nasal sinuses.

Cheyne’s important book deals mainly with the lesions of croup.

An exhaustive work which discusses olfaction, diseases of the nose, membranous occlusion of the nostrils, deviations of the septum, rhinoplasty, coryza, vasomotor rhinitis, rhinorrhoea, etc. The first edition was entitled Dissertation sur les odeurs… (Paris, Feugueray, 1815).

Porter was Professor of Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The above includes a description of “Porter’s sign”, tracheal tugging in aortic aneurysm.

Invention of the modern tonsillotome.

“Ludwig’s angina” first described. English translation and biographical note. Bull. Hist. Med., 1939, 7, 1115-26.

“A clear exposition of diseases of the larynx as known before the invention of the laryngoscope”. (Scott Stevenson and Guthrie, see No. 3342).

A laryngological classic. English translation, 1839.

Removal of a fibrous growth from the nostril by division of the nasal and maxillary bones, July 8, 1841. Preliminary note in the same journal, 1842, 3, 257.

First removal of a laryngeal polyp.

Green was the “father of laryngology” in America, and this is the first American treatise in otorhinolaryngology. He was the first successfully to introduce medicaments into the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for local treatment, using a probang, a curved instrument of whalebone 25 cm. long tipped with a tiny sponge. His claims in this connexion were the subject of bitter controversy in the U.S.A. It is possible that he somewhat exaggerated the efficacy of the methods he used and advocated.

Green was one of the few to remove a laryngeal tumor before the invention of the laryngoscope.

Thyrotomy for removal of cancer of the larynx. The operation took place in May 1851, and the patient died in 1852.

First systematic study of the subject. In this celebrated work Gross laid down principles concerning symptoms which are still fundamental, despite the advent of roentgenology.

First pharyngotomy in England. Fuller report in Guy’s Hosp. Rep., 1858, 3 ser., 4, 217.

Catlin, the famous American artist, was the first in America to call attention to the bad effects of mouth-breathing. He based his book on observations of native American practices, and illustrated his book with humorous sketches. Digital facsimile from the Medical Heritage Library, Internet Archive, at this link.

First enucleation of a laryngeal polyp by the bloodless method. Digital facsimile of the second edition (1862) from the Internet Archive at this link.

Lewin was probably the first to extirpate a laryngeal growth with the aid of the laryngoscope. Bruns claimed this distinction, but may not have heard of Lewin.

An important study of paralysis of the vocal cords was made by Gerhardt. He diagnosed the growth in the larynx of Friedrich III, Emperor of Germany, whose eventual death from this condition was to have such disastrous effects on German history.

Bruns claimed to have been the first to remove a tumor from the larynx with the aid of the laryngoscope.

Laryngectomy for papillomata.

On p. 295 is a classic description of laryngitis sicca – “Türck’s trachoma”.

First successful operation for cancer of the larynx.

Voltolini was the first to use the galvanocautery in laryngeal surgery.

First clinical description of adenoid growths. For an English translation of the paper see Med. -chir. Trans., 1870, 53, 191-215

 Rhinoscleroma is considered a tropical disease, mostly endemic to Africa and Central America, and less common in the United States.

An analysis of 100 of Mackenzie’s own cases.

See No. 3270. Continuing his study of laryngeal paralysis. Gerhardt proposed the term “cadaveric position” to indicate the position of the vocal cord in total paralysis of the larynx.

First American textbook on oto-rhino-laryngology.

Mycosis pharyngitis first reported.

The first complete excision of the larynx for cancer, performed by Billroth on 31 December 1873 and reported by Gussenbauer. The patient left the hospital in good state on 3 March 1874. Also published in Arch. klin. Chir., 1874, 17, 343-56.

First description of “Tornwaldt’s bursitis”, an inflammatory condition of the pharyngeal tonsil, so named from the latter’s description of it in 1885 (see No. 3295).

Riegel distinguished between respiratory and phonatory paralysis of the larynx.

Fraenkel established ozena (atrophic rhinitis) as a clinical entity.

Jarvis nasal snare described.

Mackenzie’s great reputation earned him the title of Father of British Laryngology. In 1863 he founded the Golden Square Throat Hospital, London, the first hospital in the world devoted solely to diseases of the throat; he was also the founder of the Journal of Laryngology. He was called to attend Crown Prince Frederick, afterwards Emperor Ferderick III of Germany, who suffered from, and succumbed to, a cancer of the larynx. Mackenzie was much maligned by a section of the German medical profession for refusing to agree to operation until biopsy had been performed. Three specimens proved negative and operation was delayed until too late. Mackenzie’s health was affected by his arduous duties on behalf of the Emperor and he died in 1892. The Manual was the standard work on the subject and had an important influence on the development of laryngology.

“Semon’s law”. Of German birth, Semon became one of the greatest laryngologists in Britain. He developed the modern operation of laryngofissure for early cancer of the larynx.

Ingals devised the operation of partial excision of the septum for the correction of septum deflection.

French was the first to obtain good photographs of the larynx.

By means of a special camera of his own invention French improved the method of photographing the larynx.

Cocaine first employed in laryngology.

Loewenberg described a bacillus found in the secretions of ozena (see No. 3307). He made the first attempt at the treatment of this condition.

“Tornwaldt’s [Thornwaldt’s] bursitis”, first described by Wendt (see No. 3283).

First successful intralaryngeal extirpation of a malignant growth.

Mikulicz’s Operation for the treatment of disease of the accessory nasal sinuses.

Bosworth, a pioneer of American rhinology, advanced an important theory of the causation of ozena.

Classic paper on sinusitis.