The Dawn of Modern Medicine

The Dawn of Modern Medicine is by Albert H. Buck and covers the period from the early part of the eighteenth century to about 1860. The book describes itself as an account of the revival of the science and art of medicine which took place in Western Europe during the latter half of the eighteenth century. A portrait caption names Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, the French chemist and biologist who contributed more than anyone else to our knowledge of the chemistry and physiology of oxygen.

The text says Maria Theresa’s mind was now entirely made up as to the wisdom of calling van Swieten to Vienna and entrusting to him the work of reorganizing the hospital management and the university medical teaching in her capital. An autopsy report says that, as a result of a former attack of pericarditis, the anterior surface of the heart was covered with a thick layer of false membranes. The text mentions the report of a very unusual case observed by a Dr. Heymann in the village of Oldendorf, found in Hufeland’s Journal, in the issues of the first half of the year 1833.