Typhoid Fever

“. . . until the 1940s typhoid was recognized as one of the most frustrating diseases to manage. The patients were highly uncomfortable and often miserably ill for many weeks, and the doctor could do little but stand by, watching for complications . . .” Serum therapy, beginning in 1893, was unsuccessful. Following pathologists’ finding of ulcers in intestines of typhoid patients, nineteenth-century treatment focused on healing these ulcers via “intestinal antiseptics” that had no effect. In 1870, introduction of the milk diet, the goal of which was to lessen intake of food to decrease the work of the intestines, became popular (Dowling, 43-44).