This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Neurology, Other  • History of Medicine  • Alert me on articles by topic

Vladimir Skljarevski, MD; Alberto Lledo, MD, PhD

Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1502-1504.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

This essay focuses on 3 issues pertinent to a historical discussion of diabetic neuropathies: ancient observations, 18th- and 19th-century advances, and the discovery of insulin. Given that the underlying biochemical mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy remain poorly understood and that currently used therapies, although seemingly less bizarre than those of the past, are not substantially more effective, the final chapter on the history of diabetic neuropathy remains to be written.

THE ANCIENT PERIOD

In 1862, egyptologist Georg Ebers found a papyrus dating from about 1550 BC that contained a description of various diseases and their cures (Ebers papyrus). It made note of a polyuric state resembling diabetes that was to be treated with a 4-day course of a liquid extract of bones, wheat, grain, grit, green lead, and earth.¹ The Greek term diabetes, coming from the prefix dia and the word betes, meaning "to pass . . . [Full Text of this Article]

WESTERN MEDICINE IN THE 18th AND 19th CENTURIES

THE MIRACLE CALLED INSULIN

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Author Affiliations: Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, Ind.