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Diabetes - The Story
The History Of Diabetes
There is evidence to suggest that diabetes as a disorder was known and recognized by man since the ancient ages. The first mention of diabetes (though it was evidently not known as "diabetes" then), found in Indian literature in the works of the physician Susruta, goes as far back as 400BC. Later, it also finds a mention in Charaka Samhita.
The Name
The word "diabetes" is derived from a Greek word that means "to siphon or drain off", the most obvious sign of diabetes being excessive urination.
"Mellitus" comes from a Latin word that means "sweet". The urine of a person with diabetes contains extra sugar (glucose). It smells and tastes sweet, thus the name.
Diabetes hits both the sexes, and also people from all ages, races, and countries. In fact, 14 million Americans have diabetes, including famous entertainers, athletes, and political leaders. Although they must watch their diet, medication and exercise routines carefully, most people with diabetes can lead full, active lives.
Diabetes - A Chronology
- 1500 BC - Ebers Papyrus first describes a condition akin to diabetes.
- 400 BC - Susruta records symptoms of diabetes and classifies the types of diabetes.
- 6 AD - Charaka refines Susruta's work on diabetes.
- 10 AD - Celsus develops a clinical description of diabetes.
- 20 AD -The term diabetes is coined by Aretaeus.
- 1869 - Langerhans describes clusters of cells (islets) in the pancreas. These are named islets of Langerhans after him.
- 1889 -Von Mering and Minkowski, in their experiments with animals, find that the removal of pancreas leads to diabetes.
- 1921 - Banting and Best obtain and purify islets of Langerhans from an animal pancreas, inject the material (insulin) into a diabetic animal, and find a fall in blood sugar level.
- After this came several advances in the treatment of the diabetes, the result of which research has made it possible for diabetics to live healthier, fuller lives.
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