Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Historical Note

Abstract

De morbis artificium diatriba, one of the most influential documents on occupational medicine, written by Bernardino Ramazzini da Capri (1633–1714), (Figure 1.1), surfaced in Padua in 1700. In the chapter “Diseases of Sifters, Measurers, and Handlers of Grain,” the author described the occurrence of dry cough, cachexia, asthma, and dropsy in these workers. In addition, he commented on the role of humidity, and suggested that “small worms” not visible to the eye present in the wheat dust might be responsible for the illness. This was the first clinical description of an interstitial lung disease caused by occupational exposure.