Medical students through history in a new book
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An extensive collection of medical students over 300 years. Photo: Karin Forsberg Nilsson.
A launch event was recently held for the book “Medicine studerande I Uppsala under 300 år”, written by Bo Lindberg, retired senior consultant.
Karin Forsberg Nilsson together with author Bo Lindberg. Private photo.
The book launch was celebrated with a reception at the Medical History Museum in Ulleråker. In attendance, alongside the author Bo Lindberg, were invited guests, including representatives of today’s medical students and Karin Forsberg Nilsson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
“It was fascinating to gain insight into medical students and their stories and biographies throughout the centuries. Before modern medicines and vaccines became available, they faced a highly hazardous study environment,” she says.
It was precisely this perspective that led Bo Lindberg to embark on what has now become a comprehensive collection of medical students.
“I have chosen to include all students enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine from the 17th century up until 1899, even if they later discontinued their studies, passed away, or for other reasons did not complete their degree. Initially, I was interested in determining whether those who died did so due to infectious diseases they encountered during their studies or later in their professional lives,” Bo Lindberg explains, continuing:
“It turned out that around 5 per cent died from tuberculosis, and many suffered complications resulting from syphilis.”
Bild: Foto Karin Forsberg Nilsson_3
Karin Forsberg Nilsson together with author Bo Lindberg
Significant social change
During his work, a clear picture also emerged of how social recruitment into the medical profession has evolved.
“In most cases, I have been able to determine the occupations of the students’ fathers. This provides a clear indication of how social recruitment into the medical profession has changed over time. Initially, most medical students were the children of clergymen, but as early as the 18th century, one finds children of tenant farmers studying medicine. Even “illegitimate” children of unmarried maids could become doctors 200 years ago. From 1874 onwards, women also began to appear among the medical students,” says Bo Lindberg.
What impact do you hope these five volumes will have?
“I believe this could become a reference work that serves as a foundation for many future studies by medical historians, as well as others. In particular, I think the socio-economic background of the students will be an interesting area of study.”
Robin Widing