PEDIATRICS Vol. 40 No. 2 August 1967, pp. 183
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THE FIRST REPORT OF THE VALUE OF FISH LIVER OIL AS A CURE FOR RICKETS

T. E. C. JR. M.D.

In spite of the enormous literature concerning the history and use of fish liver oil in the prevention and treatment of rickets, the following interesting report published in 1779 seems to have escaped the notice of all who have delved into this subject:

The following account of a method by which the inhabitants of the western isles of Scotland, excite a fever and cure the rickets, has lately been communicated to Dr. Duncan, by an ingenious gentleman, in whose veracity and accuracy our readers may put great dependence.

"We are indebted to the most uncultivated part of mankind for many useful discoveries, especially in medicine; and however inexplicable they may be by our theories, yet even the most unpromising of them deserve attention and trial, more especially when they may prove useful in saving the lives of many of our fellow-creatures.

"The medicine made use of in the western islands for the cure of rickets, is an oil extracted from the liver of the skate fish. The method of application is as follows. First, the wrists and ancles [sic] are rubbed with the oil in the evening; this immediately raises a fever of several hours duration; when the fever from the first rubbing subsides, the same parts are rubbed again the night following, and repeatedly, as long as the rubbing of these parts continues to excite the fever: after no fever can be excited by rubbing the wrists and ancles [sic] alone, they are rubbed again along with the knees and elbows. This increased unction [sic] brings on the fever again; and is practiced as before, till it no longer has that effect. Then the vertebrae and sides are rubbed along with the former parts, and this unction, [sic] which again brings on the fever, is repeated as the former. When no fever can be longer excited by this unction, [sic] a flannel shirt, dipped in the oil, is put upon the body of the patient; this brings on a more violent and sensible fever than any of the former unction, [sic] and is continued till the cure is completed, which commonly it is in a short time."