[200 years of bronchitis--from 1808 to 2008].
Because of the still growing importance of airway diseases, it should be worthwhile to remember Charles Badham's coining of the term bronchitis 200 years ago--in 1808. In the two editions of his book he reviewed historical names and concepts of tracheobronchial affections according to humoralism mainly under the topic of catarrh. Using his new term "bronchitis" he classified three forms (Br. acuta, asthenica and chronica). Analyses of clinical symptoms, case histories and therapeutic aspects form the central chapters of his work, always in relation to former ideas and authors. According to modern authors his characterization of chronic bronchitis conforms best with today's definitions, whereas the first two forms remain unclear even today. Early German medical reviews and comments uniformly concur with both editions of his book (1808 and 1814). Finally we present some important dates of his life and work.
Klippe
H J
HJ
Zentrum für Pneumologie und Thoraxchirurgie, Krankenhaus Grosshansdorf.
Kirsten
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