Introduction

Authors

  • Alan Meisel University of Pittsburgh School of Law

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/pjephl.2008.6

Abstract

As recently as the mid- to late-nineteenth century, it could honestly be said that there was no medical profession in the United States. Yes, there were doctors. And of course there were patients with illness and injuries. But if it is contentious today as to how best to treat various conditions, a century and a half ago it was nothing short of a circus. Although the American Medical Association had been founded in 1847, allopathic medicine could hardly be said to be the dominant school of thought. Others abounded, some of which still exist today, but none of them were capable of doing very much in the way of treating illness.

Author Biography

Alan Meisel, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Director, Health Law Certificate; Center for Bioethics & Health Law

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Published

2008-04-15