Asthma and Breathing Treatments - A History
Early History:
Asthma has been described and treated thousands of years ago by the ancient Egyptians and Chineese. The term comes from a Greek word aazein meaning to pant. It was first thought of as an actual condition in the first century AD. Although the foundation for an understanding of asthma was laid in the first century AD it wasn't until the late 1700's that Europeans began to come to the same conclusion although in the early 1700's an Italian doctor, Bernardino Ramazzini described how some patients lung health would worsen depending on their work enviroment.
Developments from the 1700 -1800 time period:
Caffine was isolated in the 1800's for medical use. Asthma patients during the 1800's to early 1900's were often directed to health spas. Often located in areas high altitudes with dry climates, these spas could provide relief for patients. Sometimes patients would relocate to these areas if their asthma was severe enough.
1900 to the 1970's:
Epinepherine first discovered 1898 by John Jacob Abel. It was soon to be isolated and marketed as a cure by Jokichi Takamine By 1900 physicians prescribing adrenaline by injection. It was then developed into an inhaled form
1920 ephedrine isolated from the herb
In 1938 a bulb squeezed nebulizer was first developed
1940's isoprenaline was synthesized as an alternitive to epinepherine and it's problematic side-effects.
Developed in the mid 1960's Salmeterol was developed and in 1969 first marketed. It is known as Albuterol in the United States. This came about due to some 3500 deaths from isoprenaline inhalers that were being used in Briton at the time.
1967 Intal first developed from Middle Eastern herbal remedy khellin.
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Last Updated 6/17/2006 10:26:24 PM
