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Hippocrates described four "humors" or body fluids in man.
The polyuria of diabetes was noted in ancient times. As early as 600 B.C., a Hindu physician recorded the sweet taste of diabetic urine. Another physician noted in 1674, that the urine in diabetes had a taste similar to honey. These descriptions are still valid today, although the "taste test" is no longer practiced.
Throughout the middle ages, "blood letting" was a means of curing most afflictions. A patient was bled with leeches or by cutting a blood vessel. In a more enlightened age, this practice ended and the study of blood and its cellular elements began. Today, we have a better understanding of how leeches prevent blood from coagulating and thereby help restore circulation. Once again, leeches are used in treatments that aid the success of reattaching severed limbs.
Early laboratories were established in the last half of the nineteenth century in the United States. Dr. William H. Welsh, considered the father of American pathology, set up the first pathology laboratory in America at Bellevue Hospital in 1878. It was used largely for teaching. The first recognized clinical laboratory in the states was located at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1896. Before the turn of the century, clinical laboratories operated in hospitals at Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
In 1915, the state of Pennsylvania passed a law that required all hospitals be equipped with adequate laboratories employing trained technicians. By 1920, the census recorded 3500 technicians, over half were now women. In 1922, 3000 U.S. hospitals indicated they had established a department for the clinical laboratory.
Always a need for appropriately trained medical personnel, an add in the AMA Journal from 1920 read, "Wanted: A physician technician to take charge of a well established laboratory... must be able to do all kinds of laboratory work..."
Practicing physicians trained their assistants, secretaries and nurses to perform simple laboratory procedures in their offices. Trends in the early years indicated the need for formal and standardized training programs. The first formal laboratory course was established at Woman's Medical School and Woman's Hospital in Philadelphia in 1921-1922 and is recorded in the files of the Registry of Medical Technologists.
In 1922, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, ASCP, was organized.
The University of Minnesota is credited with the first degree program in Medical Technology, established prior to 1925. It had admission requirements equivalent to those of a B.A. or B.S. degree.
The Wisconsin General Hospital (WGH), today's Medical Sciences Center (MSC), was built as a memorial to those who served in WWI. It was opened to receive patients in 1925. The original dedication plaque is on the front the building at 1300 University Avenue.
Meanwhile, the State Laboratory of Hygiene had been established on the UW campus in 1903. In 1915, Dr. W.D. Stoval was appointed director of the State Lab. He also became the first pathologist and Director of Laboratories in the new WGH. When the hospital opened in 1925, a training course began for laboratory technicians. Six students were accepted. Initially, there were two types of students. Students with college degrees completed a six month laboratory apprenticeship. High school graduates completed a nine month course of training and laboratory experience. After a few years, the internshop was expanded to twelve months for all students. Upon completion of the requirements, the hospital issued a certificate to the laboratory trained technician.
In 1928, a full-time instructor was appointed for the laboratory classroom. Classes were held each afternoon of the week with lectures given by clinical pathologists. Students spent the forenoon and Saturdays in clinical rotations. During the 30's the Program averaged 12 students/year. The major areas of study were urinalysis, bacteriology, parasitology, serology, hematology and chemistry.
In 1937, a Bachelor of Science major in Medical Technology was established in the College of Letters & Science. Three years of required courses and electives were taken in preparation for the fourth year of clinical training in the hospital. A new laboratory was built adjacent to the clinical laboratories and equipped for the Medical Technology Program. As enrollment rose to 28 students/year in the late sixties, the faculty was enlarged.
By 1970-75, the Medical Technology Program was moved to new teaching quarters in Service Memorial Institute (SMI). During this time, enrollment increased steadily to reach 48 by 1975. Teaching faculty and new courses were added to keep up with medical advancement. The Program's academic home was switched from the College of Letters & Science to the newly formed School of Allied Health Professions. During this time, the major became a 2+2 Program in which students completed two years of pre-professional curriculum and applied to the Professional Program as sophomores. Class enrollments showed an increase of males, but the majority of students continued to be females. Major areas of study expanded to include special chemistry, blood banking and immunology.
As time marches on, the field of clinical laboratory medicine is becoming more administrative and biomolecular. Medical Technology is more than diagnosis and treating symptoms, it is pertinent to gene therapy and achieving cures. In 1989, the Medical School's Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine became home to the Medical Technology Program. Students now graduate with a B.S. degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from the Medical School's Helath Professional Programs. The curriculum is continually updated with new information gained from research. Fields of study have further expanded into molecular technology and areas of education, data management, supervision and administration. Today's class enrollments are 20-24/year with equal numbers of men and women.
Requirements for the major and graduation in Clinical Laboratory Science can be found on the Clinical Laboratory Science Home Page.
In Fall 1999, the Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technlogy Program under went a major curriculum revision. Most notable changes include:
CLS students also complete an Essential Laboatory clinical practice at Univeristy of Wisconsi Hospitals and Cinics (UWH&C). This includes clinical practice in chemistry, special chemistry/toxicology, urinalysis, hematology, blood banking, microbiology, immunology, coagulation, and specimen control.
UWH&C's Specimen Control, the hub of laboratory testing, accessions over 2,500 inpatient specimens a day, and 75,000 tests per month or approximately 1 million tests/yearly. In addition to inpatient samples, Specimen Control processes over 1,400 outpatient specimen samples each day. This volume of testing provides CLS/medical technology students ample opportunity to apply those technical skills learned in the CLS Program's clinical classroom.
In addition to UWH&C's laboratories, CLS students also may participate in laboratory training at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Middleton Memorial Veteran's Hospital, UW Veterniary School, and Promega Biotechnology Corporation.
ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologists): http://www.ascp.org/
CDC (Center of Disease Control): http://www.cdc.gov