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Journal of Infection Prevention
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Dr Thomas Latta: the father of intravenous infusion therapy

Neil MacGillivray

Scottish History, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, Druim Bàn, Camuscross, Isleornsay, Isle of Skye, IV43 8QS, niall28{at}hotmail.com

The paper reviews the work of Dr Thomas Latta who during the cholera epidemic of 1831—32 pioneered the use of intravenous saline infusion in the treatment of cholera. The reaction of the medical profession to this new therapy is described and the reasons for the profession’s failure to acknowledge the importance of this advance is analysed. The reasons why the name of Thomas Latta and his contribution did not survive his death in 1833 are discussed and the contributions of twentieth century scholars in remembering his work are highlighted.

Key Words: Cholera • Latta • saline • IV infusion • nineteenth century

Journal of Infection Prevention, Vol. 10, No. 1 Suppl, s3-s6 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1757177409342141
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