Lower gastrointestinal bleeding historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Roman encyclopedist Aulus Cornelius Celsus was the first to describe band ligation treatment for hemorrhoidal bleeding. In the 1700s, Alexis Littre was the first to describe the association between diverticular diseases and bleeding. In 1885, Allchin gave a detailed description of ulcerative colitis along bleeding.Until 1967, mesenteric ischemia was a diagnostic dilemma. In 1887, Welch proposed that ischemic bowel changes occur secondary to 80% stenosis of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) resulting in bleeding as a complication.

• Roman encyclopedist Aulus Cornelius Celsus was the first to describe band ligation treatment for hemorrhoidal bleeding.
• In the 1700s, Alexis Littre was the first to describe diverticular diseases, where he reported “diverticular hernia” without explaining it.^[1]
• In 1885, Allchin gave a detailed description of ulcerative colitis for the first time.^[2]
• Until 1967, mesenteric ischemia was a diagnostic dilemma.^[3]
• In 1887, Welch proposed that ischemic bowel changes occur secondary to 80% stenosis of superior mesenteric artery (SMA).^[4]
• In 1849, Jean Cruveilheir, a French anatomist, was the first to describe in detail the diverticular herniations through the muscular wall of the colon.
• In 1913 Giovanni Battista Morgagni (1682-1771) and Scottish physician T. Kennedy Dalziel described inflammatory bowel diseases in detail for the first time.
• In 1936, Dunphy was the first one to establish an association between mesenteric artery occlusion and gut infarction.
• In 1963, Boley was the first to describe ischemic colitis as a vascular occlusion of the colon.