John Huxham

views updated

John Huxham

1692-1768

English physician, student of Herman Boerhaave. Huxham expanded medical knowledge of fevers and other infectious diseases such as diphtheria, colic, typhoid, typhus, and the common cold. He introduced the term "influenza" to the English-speaking medical world. Among his major works are An Essay on Fevers (1750) and A Dissertation on the Malignant, Ulcerous Sore-Throat (1757). He also recorded several decades of careful observations trying to prove a relationship between weather and health.

About this article

John Huxham

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article