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Hugh H. Hussey, MD

JAMA. 1981;245(13):1317-1318.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

EPIDEMICS of jaundice were observed for centuries, while their cause remained mysterious, but in all likelihood, most outbreaks represented what is now called hepatitis A. However, in 1883, an epidemic of jaundice occurred among shipyard workers who had been vaccinated against smallpox with material made from a human source,¹ and this may represent the first identifiable instance of the disease now known as hepatitis B. Since the causative agent of hepatitis B is distributed worldwide, however, other unrecorded epidemics may have occurred.

By the turn of the 20th century, the epidemic nature of hepatitis was recognized, and various names were applied. For example, as late as the early 1930s, acute catarrhal jaundice was a favored diagnosis. At that time the disease (or diseases) was suspected of having viral origin since a bacterium had not been incriminated. Yet, the diseases were considered benign; their potential for following a fulminant course . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Dr Hussey is in private practice in Dallas.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 4819 Skillman St, Apt 209, Dallas, TX 75206 (Dr Hussey).

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