This post is by Kelsey Beeghly, the 2023-2024 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the Library of Congress.
Comparing common medical practices from the past to our current technology can be an engaging way to share about the changing nature of science.
X-Rays
In 1895, German engineer and physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered the X-ray, and shortly thereafter it was widely used within the United States for a number of different purposes. However, not much was yet known about the dangers posed by X-rays. Show students the photograph of the baby being X-rayed and allow them time to observe it.
- What do they notice first?
- What do they think is happening in the photo?
- If a photo was taken of a child receiving an X-ray today, how would it look different from this one? Why?
Students might research the uses of and the dangers associated with ionizing radiation to guide their responses.
This newspaper advertisement may surprise students. Ask them to identify the scientific claims being made in the advertisement, evidence provided to support those claims, and reasoning that could explain how the evidence supports the claim. How strong is its scientific argument for promoting X-ray shoe fitting service? Challenge students to consider who made the ad and for what purposes. Do they trust this as a source for scientific information? Extend these ideas to current advertisements, such as those with exaggerated or misleading scientific claims.
This research guide identifies additional material related to X-rays in the Chronicling America historic newspapers.
Fever Therapy
Show students one or more of the photographs about fever therapy and ask them to describe what is happening in the images. Encourage students to explain the cause and effect of raising body temperature on bacterial infections and other diseases.
Ask students if they think the headline “Machine Converts Man into Electromagnet” would encourage or discourage people to try fever therapy. Do they think this article, “How to Keep Well,” is more successful in explaining the benefits of fever therapy than the first one listed?
Encourage students to compare fever therapy to antibiotics, considering the pros and cons of each method. If they bring up antibiotic resistance, share “Beware of Breeding Outlaw Germs.”
In health and medicine, the appearance that both medical practices and safety standards are changing may cause some people to question the reliability of new practices. In addition, the media may not accurately portray these changes. In reality, scientists are involved in peer review, conversations with other scholars, and testing to ensure new treatments are safe. The work of scientists and the tradition of testing and collaboration leads to new creative ways to solve problems, including using radiation to treat cancer, creating antibiotics, and banning practices proven to be harmful, like X-ray shoe fitting. Invite students to reflect on the scientific mindset of being open to change when presented with new evidence. Is this a strength or a weakness of science? Why? What primary source evidence of other past medical practices or discoveries might you investigate to support your position?
Do you enjoy these posts? Subscribe! You’ll receive free teaching ideas and primary sources from the Library of Congress.