ABSTRACT
Eclampsia, accompanied by convulsions, is one of the most dangerous complications of pregnant women. This condition was known to the ancient Greeks, who named it eclampsia. Prior to the 18th century, the term eclampsia was used only to refer to the visual phenomena which accompanied the neurologic aspects of the malady. Rayer's landmark contribution (1839-1841) provided evidence for renal involvement with the observation of protein in the urine of pregnant, edematous women. Lever (1843) reported finding proteinuria in eclampsia and concluded that disappearance of proteinuria after delivery of the child was evidence that eclampsia was different from Bright's disease.
Subject(s)
Pre-Eclampsia/history , Eclampsia/history , Europe , Female , History, 16th Century , History, 17th Century , History, 18th Century , History, 19th Century , History, Ancient , History, Medieval , Humans , PregnancyABSTRACT
Little has been written concerning the role of women in nephrology in America during the first half of the twentieth century. However, the records show that women scientists made substantial contributions to nephrology and definitely were involved in research efforts at a number of prestigious academic institutions that had interests focused on kidney function in health and disease. Here, we describe the contributions of some of these pioneering women scientists to whom nephrology shall always be indebted.
