In this course, students are required to trace a topic of their choice back in time to at least 1900 and to access at least one record via the archives. Some examples are shown below.
OHSU Library HCA History of Medicine (RC156 S83 1884); available online via the Internet Archive
Semmelweis, Ignác Fülöp, and Carter, K. Codell. 1983. The Etiology, Concept, and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press. (Translation of original 1860 publication)
OHSU Library Closed Stacks (WQ505 S472a 1860 [1983E]); available online via the Internet Archive (free login required to view/borrow)
This specific example traces researching for historical sources on Pharmacogenomics and Adverse Drug Reactions via PubMed.
Start off with broad PubMed searches for both pharmacogenetics and adverse drug reactions:
Search “pharmacogenetics” and select “show index” to select the MeSH term, then applied the filters, “classical article” and “historical article”
One article especially offered some leads: a hybrid of historical overview in pharmacogenetics with a first-person view. https://doi.org/10.5858/2001-125-0077-PIP
The author, Werner Kalow, notes some early findings that he and others made in the 1950s:
Kalow, W. "Familial incidence of low pseudocholinesterase level." The Lancet 268.6942 (1956): 576-577. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(56)92065-7
In the piece, Kalow references a few earlier findings/reports that could be searched online or otherwise tracked down (findings by Lehmann and Ryan, as well as R. Gunn). While published a few years later, in 1963, this piece by Lehmann includes citations which grounds the work in previous findings: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmj.1.5338.1116
Motulsky, Arno G. "Drug reactions, enzymes, and biochemical genetics." Journal of the American Medical Association 165.7 (1957): 835-837. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/321669
These are not quite the same as digitized historical books or articles – they’re still in copyright so haven’t been digitized in full like many earlier works. But they are indeed primary historical sources – the original articles in which the findings were published. Real turning points. To go back too much farther than the 1950s, you’re probably going to want to look more broadly at ideas of genetics/inheritance as noted in our guide under “genetics”. Or, follow only the “drug reactions” track.
‘Adverse drug reactions’ has deeper roots as a concept and gets you to the types of sources this assignment is hoping you will explore. Search “adverse drug reactions” and select “show index” to select the MeSH term. Then applied the filters, “classical article” and “historical article”.
One especially eye-catching article is the historical overview of “pharmacovigilance,” i.e. detection/assessment/prevention of adverse drug effects: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6132952/
Some of the earliest references involved cited this 1998 Lancet article, another historical overview: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(98)03148-1
Some big turning points appeared to be:
The death of 15-year-old Hannah Greener in the UK in 1848 from the effects of chloroform. Searching this online brings back this piece that referenced two original publications reporting the inquest proceedings following her death:
Fatal application of chloroform (editorial). Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal 1848; 69: 498. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.32044103055695?urlappend=%3Bseq=512%3Bownerid=27021597764323298-540
Anonymous: Medical trials and inquest: Death from chloroform during a surgical operation. London Medical Gazette, New Series 1848; 6: 250–4. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015012314426?urlappend=%3Bseq=258%3Bownerid=1691089-258
Find these links by searching the Hathitrust Digital Library for the full journal title, then refining the date to 1848 and paging through the right year/volume until reaching the listed page. These digitized volumes do allow you to view the surrounding articles and context, rather than the database view which just gives you the direct citation.
1906 US Federal Food and Drugs Act:
Original digitized act via National Archives: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5716297
A 1907 study of the act with commentary: https://archive.org/details/foodanddrugsact00greegoog
The 1961 report from Australian obstetrician, William McBride on the effects of thalidomide in pregnancy. McBride, William Griffith. "Thalidomide and congenital abnormalities." Lancet 2. 1358 (1961): 90927-8. https://librarysearch.ohsu.edu/permalink/f/9umveu/TN_cdi_crossref_primary_10_1016_S0140_6736_61_90927_8 (this one is still in copyright, so you’ll have to authenticate with your OHSU credentials to access and it’s not in a digitized original format like the above … but if you view the Lancet online you can see the other articles in that issue for context: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/vol278no7216/PIIS0140-6736(00)X1142-7