The early history of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis was first recognised as a distinct clinical entity by Thomas Willis, a 17th century Oxford physician, whose 1672 account in Latin was largely unnoticed until 1903. The first modern description was made in 1877 by Samuel Wilks, a London physician. Towards the close of the 19th century, primary muscle diseases and diseases due to denervation of muscle were studied by English, French, and German physicians. The first full descriptions of myasthenia gravis were by Wilhelm Erb, of Heidelberg, and Samuel Goldflam of Warsaw. The account by Willis, and the 19th century literature of myasthenia gravis are reviewed, revealing the dominance of German physicians and neuropathologists in the early understanding of the disease. The development in pathology, aetiology, and therapy in the first half of the 20th century are described.