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[The hospital in Lund during the 1850's]
1Urologiska kliniken, Universitetssjukhuset, Lund.
Sydsvenska Medicinhistoriska Sallskapets Arsskrift
|January 1, 1993
Summary
This study reviews patient records from Lund Hospital (1851-1860), revealing syphilis and tuberculosis as dominant diagnoses. Treatments included leeches and plant-based medicines, with limited surgery and evolving medical education.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Public Health
- Clinical Medicine
Context:
- Hospital in Lund, Sweden, expanded in 1850 to 150 beds.
- Hospital divided into 'External' (surgery, maternity) and 'Internal' (medicine, venereal diseases) departments in 1850.
- Review of patient charts and reports from 1851-1860, including 40 autopsy reports.
Purpose:
- To analyze patient demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and hospital organization during a specific decade.
- To understand the prevalence of diseases and medical practices in mid-19th century Sweden.
- To examine the context of clinical medical education during a period of reform.
Summary:
- 8,785 patients admitted between 1851-1860; 2,292 for syphilis.
- Dominant diagnoses included syphilis, tuberculosis, and gastric issues; common conditions were chlorosis, anemia, and rheumatic disorders.
- Therapeutic resources focused on leeches, cupping, laxatives, and plant-derived medicines; surgical activity was minimal (275 operations).
- Mean patient age was 28 years, with the largest group aged 16-20.
- Medical education faced challenges due to limited patient access, influencing discussions on centralizing medical schools.
Impact:
- Provides insight into historical disease burdens and therapeutic approaches.
- Highlights the challenges and evolution of medical education in 19th-century Sweden.
- Offers a historical perspective on hospital management and patient care.