Ralph Colp Jr. M.D.
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780813032313
- eISBN:
- 9780813039237
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813032313.003.0029
- Subject:
- History, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
In the year 2000, Dr. Gordon Sauer, an American dermatologist, published an article, “Charles Darwin Consults a Dermatologist”, in which he diagnosed Darwin's skin disease as being atopic eczema. ...
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In the year 2000, Dr. Gordon Sauer, an American dermatologist, published an article, “Charles Darwin Consults a Dermatologist”, in which he diagnosed Darwin's skin disease as being atopic eczema. This was the first time in nearly 120 years of comments on Darwin's illness that anyone had proposed a diagnosis for his dermatological symptoms. While Dr. Sauer believes that this allergic state is a cause for Darwin's skin symptoms, he does not believe that allergy can account for the other symptoms of Darwin's illness, as has been proposed by Fabienne Smith. The evidence for his dermatological diagnosis is presented. Whether or not Darwin had atopic dermatitis can only be confirmed by allergen tests that have been developed since his death, and he may occasionally have had other kinds of skin disorders. But the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis fits what is known about the nature and history of his dermatitis better than any other diagnosis.Less
In the year 2000, Dr. Gordon Sauer, an American dermatologist, published an article, “Charles Darwin Consults a Dermatologist”, in which he diagnosed Darwin's skin disease as being atopic eczema. This was the first time in nearly 120 years of comments on Darwin's illness that anyone had proposed a diagnosis for his dermatological symptoms. While Dr. Sauer believes that this allergic state is a cause for Darwin's skin symptoms, he does not believe that allergy can account for the other symptoms of Darwin's illness, as has been proposed by Fabienne Smith. The evidence for his dermatological diagnosis is presented. Whether or not Darwin had atopic dermatitis can only be confirmed by allergen tests that have been developed since his death, and he may occasionally have had other kinds of skin disorders. But the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis fits what is known about the nature and history of his dermatitis better than any other diagnosis.
Nicholas P. Money
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195172270
- eISBN:
- 9780199790258
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195172270.003.0003
- Subject:
- Biology, Microbiology
This chapter explains how mold spores can cause allergies. Spores carry proteins on their surface, and those that act as antigens can cause a cascade of immune responses resulting in the miseries of ...
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This chapter explains how mold spores can cause allergies. Spores carry proteins on their surface, and those that act as antigens can cause a cascade of immune responses resulting in the miseries of allergic rhinitis or hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, skin allergies, asthma, eczema or atopic dermatitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This chapter describes interactions between immune cells in allergies mediated by IgE and IgG, providing a primer on this complex field of medicine. The idea that allergy is a perversion of a response that evolved to combat parasitic infestations is discussed, along with the hygiene hypothesis that has been advanced as an explanation for the increasing prevalence of asthma.Less
This chapter explains how mold spores can cause allergies. Spores carry proteins on their surface, and those that act as antigens can cause a cascade of immune responses resulting in the miseries of allergic rhinitis or hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, skin allergies, asthma, eczema or atopic dermatitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This chapter describes interactions between immune cells in allergies mediated by IgE and IgG, providing a primer on this complex field of medicine. The idea that allergy is a perversion of a response that evolved to combat parasitic infestations is discussed, along with the hygiene hypothesis that has been advanced as an explanation for the increasing prevalence of asthma.
Ralph Colp Jr. M.D.
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780813032313
- eISBN:
- 9780813039237
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813032313.003.0011
- Subject:
- History, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
After reading how his enemy Richard Owen had mendaciously criticized the work of his friend Hugh Falconer, Charles Darwin had feelings of “burning...indignation” that interfered with sleep, and ...
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After reading how his enemy Richard Owen had mendaciously criticized the work of his friend Hugh Falconer, Charles Darwin had feelings of “burning...indignation” that interfered with sleep, and produced an episode of eczema which took “off the epidermis a dozen times clean off”. The eczema subsided, and he had no further complaints of illness in January of that year. His wellness was then sharply broken by the onset of an illness that would become prolonged and that resulted from his disturbed feelings on reading Charles Lyell's book, The Antiquity of Man. He also continued to be ill with vomiting and weakness. His treatment regimens under Drs. James Ayerst, James Gully, William Brinton, and William Jenner are described.Less
After reading how his enemy Richard Owen had mendaciously criticized the work of his friend Hugh Falconer, Charles Darwin had feelings of “burning...indignation” that interfered with sleep, and produced an episode of eczema which took “off the epidermis a dozen times clean off”. The eczema subsided, and he had no further complaints of illness in January of that year. His wellness was then sharply broken by the onset of an illness that would become prolonged and that resulted from his disturbed feelings on reading Charles Lyell's book, The Antiquity of Man. He also continued to be ill with vomiting and weakness. His treatment regimens under Drs. James Ayerst, James Gully, William Brinton, and William Jenner are described.
Matthew Smith
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231164849
- eISBN:
- 9780231539197
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231164849.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
This book assesses the political, economic, cultural, and health factors that relate to food allergies. It surveys the history of food allergies from ancient times to the present and provides a clear ...
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This book assesses the political, economic, cultural, and health factors that relate to food allergies. It surveys the history of food allergies from ancient times to the present and provides a clear appraisal of new medical findings on allergies and what they say about our environment, our immune system, and the nature of the food we consume. It shows that for most of the twentieth century, while many physicians and clinicians argued that certain foods could cause a range of chronic problems, from asthma and eczema to migraines and hyperactivity, others believed that allergies were psychosomatic or simply “junk” science. It traces the trajectory of this debate and its effect on public-health policy and the production, manufacture, and consumption of food. It answers the following key questions: Are rising allergy rates purely the result of effective lobbying and a booming industry built on self-diagnosis and expensive remedies? Or should physicians become more flexible in their approach to food allergies and more careful in their diagnoses? It explores the issue from scientific, political, economic, social, and patient-centred perspectives. It engages fully with the history of what is now a major modern affliction and illuminates society's troubled relationship with food, disease, and the creation of medical knowledge.Less
This book assesses the political, economic, cultural, and health factors that relate to food allergies. It surveys the history of food allergies from ancient times to the present and provides a clear appraisal of new medical findings on allergies and what they say about our environment, our immune system, and the nature of the food we consume. It shows that for most of the twentieth century, while many physicians and clinicians argued that certain foods could cause a range of chronic problems, from asthma and eczema to migraines and hyperactivity, others believed that allergies were psychosomatic or simply “junk” science. It traces the trajectory of this debate and its effect on public-health policy and the production, manufacture, and consumption of food. It answers the following key questions: Are rising allergy rates purely the result of effective lobbying and a booming industry built on self-diagnosis and expensive remedies? Or should physicians become more flexible in their approach to food allergies and more careful in their diagnoses? It explores the issue from scientific, political, economic, social, and patient-centred perspectives. It engages fully with the history of what is now a major modern affliction and illuminates society's troubled relationship with food, disease, and the creation of medical knowledge.
