Wayne State University School of Medicine - Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

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DEPARTMENT OF CQMMUNITY MEDICINE

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lli pfis Oticas. . , i ,aw-' f 4' l ' fp, ' 'f - 5 -f , g Q fi .WW V I v A ft Q .X ttmwttx - - ,.-...gf it it R .1 . ., A 'Z K-xx it-KQJQX tak-It -. 3 .1 .Nil n f..rttNA-V'xlt iw ' nt t -Mt H g x xg Qxhfxf' gl, , ' or it . A'-f ' f ' , I X' .-.: B !ff3'f3?- A . . R-' 't ' , . Lai - ' ff' ' A ' 1 , '.,,,::,L,,....-...,,.- E N- ga mpg-YO 1715--..tz-, T. .' '-Y!! F . - l ' i ' ' -1- f-:e- -. .- hi, i s ,525-Z: .s Q ' i775if- ,--- ' - 'V '- N N Y V A '. ' .-.x W N-- Nxg'lX,t Q ' 'it-. ' ' Ui' il -lil 31 ., X t. . a- . -XT. N -,fxyx -is :-X Q, :Jiswgtj i xo ty Z. X N The Bettmann Archive Early sound experiment for the amplification of sound for people some distance away. The comprehensive aural rehabilitation programs organized and carried out in a number of Army and Navy General Hospitals at the close of World War II mark the beginning ofthe specialty of clinical audiology in the United States. Prior to this period, the debilitat- ing effects of deafness were little understood and techniques for management of these human social problems were virtually non-existent. The successful experiences gained in the evaluation and retraining of residual auditory function in these military installations provided the stimulus and direction needed for the im- plementation ol' clinical and rehabilitation activities for hearing impaired persons in the civilian population. This work became part of the clinical programs of Speech and Hearing Centers located in universities and colleges throughout the country. Moreover, the need for professionally trained audiologists competent in all phases of clinical and rehabilitation work became im- mediately apparent and consequently academic pro- grams were introduced into the curriculum of the leading schools in the United States. Concurrently, greater research interests emerged through clinical observations and experimental studies at this time. Armed with the modern application of electronic in- struments as well as the traditional and newer methods of investigation, the audiologist has been able to study the nature of auditory functions and apply the knowl- edge and insight into the clinical and rehabilitative needs of impaired hearing individuals. The contributions of the field of Audiology, particu- larly in the areas of clinical and diagnostic evaluation of auditory disorders, aural rehabilitation of the deafened, and research into the nature of normal and abnormal auditory functions, stem in large measure from the early audiologic programs established in the mid 1940's at various military hospitals. 33

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Jfiifi --11 sr'-eve, 11-A . es, .L + ,,-, - fee ..,a:-,,,.,...'5 'i-f-aTeL:,?f5s if eglgtgeub'-f-5,'. 5- r - , gig-5 . T-1 ,lf 1 -F, 4.-wg 2- - gl .-:Ti . . ,Sf .E-Se. iv -.., 1, The Bettmann Archive Rodents as carriers of disease are recognized in the story of the plague inflicted by God upon the Philistines after they had robbed the Jews of Ark of the Covenant. Historical foundations of community medicine are buried deeply in the fears of primitive men and their hope for group survival. Unquestionably one of the predominant concerns of ancient men was the hy- gienic protection of his family, group and community manifest by complicated exercise of voodoo, quaran- tine, and various means of driving away evil spirits of disease. All early civilizations of which there are records had well-developed systems for the protection and promotion of community health. Perhaps the best known example were the Hebrews who enunciated in Leviticus about 1500 B.C. a very detailed personal and community hygienic code. All of these early attempts, however, were based upon empirical observations and superstitions. The Middle Ages did little to improve this except to emphasize through the horrifying pan- demics of plague, leprosy, smallpox, syphilis and other diseases that certain conditions were of a group or community nature. The Renaissance, characterized by a sparkling galaxy of great thinkers and scientists, emphasized the concept of the dignity of man and the social connotations of illness and its prevention and cure. Attempts to implement these philosophies were begun in the mid-19th century by Pettenkoffer in Germany, Chadwick in England, and Shattuck in America. Out of these efforts came not only the well established multidisciplinary public health programs and organizations as seen today but also changes in medical education and practice. By now there exists the widespread and growing concept that the private physician's role is by no means restricted to repair work or comforting those suffering from pain and im- pending death. To the contrary, the modern physician plays an increasing role in the protection and promo- tion of the health and well-being of those in his practice and indeed the community as a whole. For- tunately he now has weapons in his hands which did not exist for his predecessors of even a decade or two ago. This would seem to presage a future type of practice far more satisfying and fruitful than in the past. 35