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Neurology, Vol 50, Issue 6 1847-1853, Copyright © 1998 by American Academy of Neurology

ARTICLES

Philadelphia Infirmary for Nervous Diseases: America's original model of institutional neurology

EJ Pappert
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

The role and contributions of the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases in the development of neurology in 19th- century America are described. American neurology was largely born during the Civil War through the work of S.W. Mitchell at Turner's Lane Hospital. With the closing of this military facility, the United States was left without an institution dedicated to neurologic research and the treatment of nervous system diseases. Nineteenth century archival data, including original Trustees' minutes, annual board of managers reports, patient case books, and published research from the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases were studied. The Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases promoted the development of neurology in the United States through three main activities. First, it offered patients with primary nervous system diseases, arthritis, and orthopedic disorders specialized care that was unavailable at medical universities. Second, its medical staff, especially Mitchell, provided opportunities for advanced neurologic education. Postgraduate physicians interested in neurologic disease attended formal lectures and directly participated in the operation of outpatient clinics and inpatient rounds. Finally, its formalized record system in the form of case books facilitated neurologic research. These records formed the basis of landmark publications by Mitchell, Sinkler, Osler, and others on rest therapy, spastic palsies, chorea, and other topics. As America's first and comprehensive peacetime neurologic facility, the Philadelphia Orthopedic Hospital and Infirmary for Nervous Diseases fostered the evolution of neurology as a separate, viable specialty in the post- Civil War period and provided a particular focus for the study of interactions among orthopedic, nutritional, and neurologic disorders.


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