Abstract

The view that the era of modern medicine began with the introduction of the sulfonamides is supported by a standard textbook of pharmacology that refers to the years 1908-35 as being characterized by “therapeutic nihilism”. However, a survey of several sources listing some of the treatments then available yields 15 infectious, 7 deficiency and 3 endocrine disorders amenable to cure. In addition, palliation that even today would be considered rational could be given for congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, asthma, epilepsy, migraine, and Parkinson’s disease, to mention only a few. A total of 38 surgical, pharmacological, nutritional and physical remedies were identified, many of them still in use. These findings represent a minimum estimate as the review was not exhaustive, being aimed chiefly at recapturing the therapeutic atmosphere prevailing 75 years ago. Nothing in the textbooks of medicine, pharmacology and treatment suggests that physicians of the 1920’s lacked either the means or the enthusiasm for treating their patients.