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Historical note: Horace Dobell's report of cystic fibrosis in 1872

Mark Lubinsky1

  • 16003W. Washington Blvd. Wauwatosa, WI 53213, USA.

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
|August 24, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Victorian physician Horace Dobell identified key cystic fibrosis symptoms in 1872, including pancreatic issues and lung disease. His work predated modern understanding by over six decades, highlighting early recognition of this genetic disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Medical History
  • Pulmonology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Victorian-era medical understanding of pediatric diseases.
  • Early observations of gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight historical medical observations predating modern disease definitions.
  • To recognize early descriptions of cystic fibrosis (CF) features.

Main Methods:

  • Historical medical text analysis.
  • Review of Horace Dobell's 1872 publication.

Main Results:

  • Dobell described key cystic fibrosis (CF) characteristics: pancreatic insufficiency, pulmonary disease, and familial recurrence.
  • Effective treatment for steatorrhea using pancreatic extract was noted.
  • Awareness of combined digestive and pulmonary disease in pediatric patients was evident.

Conclusions:

  • Horace Dobell's 1872 observations represent a significant early description of cystic fibrosis (CF).
  • These findings predate the full modern understanding of CF by more than 60 years.

Keywords:
Cystic fibrosisHorace DobellLung diseasePancreasRecessive inheritanceSteatorrhea

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