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Matches in DBpedia 2014 for { ?s ?p Thomas Aitchison Latta (1796 - 19 October 1833) was a medical pioneer who was responsible for the introduction of the saline solution ("saline drip") methodology into the treatment of patients.This was initially introduced in 1832 during a cholera epidemic which had reached Britain in the previous year and was killing huge numbers of people. Although his results were both remarkably good and effective in saving human lives the research appeared to thereafter be forgotten for 70 years before re-materialising in more broader use.Intravenous theory had existed prior to this date but had never been successfully put into practice. The critical aspect of Latta's theory was the nature of the liquid, correctly speculating that a salt solution could substitute for blood. Basing his experiments on the theories of Dr William B O'Shaughnessy Latta had equally observed that cholera victims lost a huge proportion of water content from their blood. Replenishment of this in combination with "oxygenating salts" were seen as key to patient recovery. The theory was then put into practice. Given that cholera was invariably fatal the patients had little to lose in being treated by this experimental treatment. Latta at first tried to administer this rectally, but on 23 May 1832 he wrote to the Central Board of Health notifying them of his intention to begin the treatment intravenously. This method was an immediate success. The results were published in The Lancet on 23 June 1832 and the methodology began to spread, however by then the epidemic was on the wane.This extract from The Lancet graphically illustrates the treatment: "The very remarkable effects of this remedy require to be witnessed to be believed. Shortly after the commencement of the injection the pulse, which was not perceptible, gradually returns; the eyes, which were sunk and turned upwards, are suddenly brought forward, and the patient looks round as if in health, the natural heat of the body is gradually restored, the tongue and breath, which were in some cases at the temperature of 79 and 80, rise to 88 and 90, and soon become natural, the laborious respiration and oppression of weight of the chest are relieved ... the whole countenance assumes a natural healthy appearance".Results were however inconsistent, partly due to not all following Latta's advice of using only distilled water, and frequently only being used on patients who were "beyond hope". It did however save many lives. It is unclear why the methodology was not thought applicable to other diseases at that time. The standard use of saline solutions (largely for recovery procedures) did not begin until 1902.Latta was based at Leith Hospital during this research. Sadly it appears that his experiments, largely on cholera victims, resulted in his own contraction of the disease and he died during his own experiments, perhaps partly explaining the lack of recognition for this remarkable medical milestone.He lived at Jessfield House near Newhaven, inherited from his father Alexander Latta (d.1807).He is buried in Leith (he is thought to be in the very small graveyard at North Leith Parish Church on Madeira Street).As an unsung hero of medicine, Latta is a popular topic for university dissertations.. }

• Thomas_Latta abstract "Thomas Aitchison Latta (1796 - 19 October 1833) was a medical pioneer who was responsible for the introduction of the saline solution ("saline drip") methodology into the treatment of patients.This was initially introduced in 1832 during a cholera epidemic which had reached Britain in the previous year and was killing huge numbers of people. Although his results were both remarkably good and effective in saving human lives the research appeared to thereafter be forgotten for 70 years before re-materialising in more broader use.Intravenous theory had existed prior to this date but had never been successfully put into practice. The critical aspect of Latta's theory was the nature of the liquid, correctly speculating that a salt solution could substitute for blood. Basing his experiments on the theories of Dr William B O'Shaughnessy Latta had equally observed that cholera victims lost a huge proportion of water content from their blood. Replenishment of this in combination with "oxygenating salts" were seen as key to patient recovery. The theory was then put into practice. Given that cholera was invariably fatal the patients had little to lose in being treated by this experimental treatment. Latta at first tried to administer this rectally, but on 23 May 1832 he wrote to the Central Board of Health notifying them of his intention to begin the treatment intravenously. This method was an immediate success. The results were published in The Lancet on 23 June 1832 and the methodology began to spread, however by then the epidemic was on the wane.This extract from The Lancet graphically illustrates the treatment: "The very remarkable effects of this remedy require to be witnessed to be believed. Shortly after the commencement of the injection the pulse, which was not perceptible, gradually returns; the eyes, which were sunk and turned upwards, are suddenly brought forward, and the patient looks round as if in health, the natural heat of the body is gradually restored, the tongue and breath, which were in some cases at the temperature of 79 and 80, rise to 88 and 90, and soon become natural, the laborious respiration and oppression of weight of the chest are relieved ... the whole countenance assumes a natural healthy appearance".Results were however inconsistent, partly due to not all following Latta's advice of using only distilled water, and frequently only being used on patients who were "beyond hope". It did however save many lives. It is unclear why the methodology was not thought applicable to other diseases at that time. The standard use of saline solutions (largely for recovery procedures) did not begin until 1902.Latta was based at Leith Hospital during this research. Sadly it appears that his experiments, largely on cholera victims, resulted in his own contraction of the disease and he died during his own experiments, perhaps partly explaining the lack of recognition for this remarkable medical milestone.He lived at Jessfield House near Newhaven, inherited from his father Alexander Latta (d.1807).He is buried in Leith (he is thought to be in the very small graveyard at North Leith Parish Church on Madeira Street).As an unsung hero of medicine, Latta is a popular topic for university dissertations.".