A Report On Type 1 Diabetes, 1900-1950, by Dr. Joslin

Boy have we come a long way in Meds, living life healtier, we have choice to listen and do, or to live in denial. Back then there wasn't much they knew or cold help with...Knowlege shouldn't be mistaken, its for our good health, living healthy as we can, take our meds, and fight this disease and keep our ears open, and eye healthy to read all the new daily info coming out

I feel so lucky that i was diagnosed in this day and age, back then they thought it was brilliant if you lived past 30!

Thanks for posting the article. It's fascinating to read Dr. Joslin's own words. I like when he discusses the longevity of those diabetics diagnosed in their teens. The longevity is less than might have been expected, and his conclusion is that this is "an indictment of us doctors for not making it better." These days, it would be blamed on the teens. Also - noted that he spoke of using BCG to prophylactically treat diabetics to prevent tuberculosis. This is the same drug that Dr. Faustman is investigating as a means to reverse the autoimmune problem that underlies Type 1 diabetes. Carl

I can't recall the last time I was so engrossed in reading something. It really is startling of the life expectancy back then for diabetics. Joslin, who founded the Joslin center (good video of his life's work here: History | Joslin Diabetes Center - Check out those old insulin vials and glass syringes!!), breifly mentions how much Bouchardat would be impressed with diabetic treatment in the 1950's; I can only imagine how Joslin would feel today!

I have gone through the PDF document and it is very interesting to compare current situation with 1900-1950. What are diabetes

I am glad to see that there is something to cheer about in my situation as a T1. However, I wish I could look toward the next 50 years rather than the last 50 years.

Hello,I just found this site and am grateful. I just passed my 45th year with type 1 diabetes. I want to live long and healthy for me, my family and especially for our 3 grandchildren!My maternal grandmother died of Type 1 in 1936. She was diagnosed with type 1 but not really treated due to lack of money and knowledge of the disease and as well as lack of access to health care.My mother, her last child of 7, was 14 months old when my grandmother died. Interestingly enough is the fact that my mom gave birth to the only 2 type 1 diabetics in our entire genetically connected family!Now, our extended family seems overwhelmed by type II diabetes. We are of native American (cherokee and blackfoot) Indian heritage. I've read a lot about the type II history and current epidemic in the native American tribes....perhaps I am the lucky one?My sister, type 1 since age 9, died at the age of 42 years old. She lost virtually many parts of every body system: left bk amputation, cataracts, eye disease and barely able to see, kidney failure which resulted in 3 years of dialysis at the local clinic, skin that wouldn't heal, feet, legs, and arms with open sores, and horrific side effects of all the medication she was on due to her heart disease and kidney failure. She lived her last 2.5 years in nursing homes...she died in a nursing home at 12:30 am, just right after January 4th, had officially changed into January 5th. Her 42nd birthday was on January 4.I hope to live many more years. I now have 1 great nephew and 2 great nieces who are my sister's grandchildren. The first time I held her 1st granddaughter at a young age, I cried with such rage at diabetes and my sister-because both the disease and her choices kept her from holding her grandchildren. Now, I have grandchildren I get to play with, read to, and anything else they want to do. Now if you're much younger than I, it's probably hard to think of being a grandparent. I would like to live until I am a great grandparent-hmmm, which could occur within 12-14 years. I hope that I am healthy and sound minded then to welcome in the next generation....hopefully my grandchildren and their children will be diabetes free!

Boy have we come a long way in Meds, living life healtier, we have choice to listen and do, or to live in denial. Back then there wasn't much they knew or cold help with...Knowlege shouldn't be mistaken, its for our good health, living healthy as we can, take our meds, and fight this disease and keep our ears open, and eye healthy to read all the new daily info coming out