The history of hand infections

The current approach to hand infections is a culmination of information gai ned from centuries of medical teaching by the ancient Creeks, nineteenth-ce ntury anatomists, and twentieth-century microbiologists and surgeons. Altho ugh many individuals have contributed to our knowledge through their teachi ngs and writings, the contemporary treatment of hand infections has evolved quite rapidly. Several landmark scientific discoveries have drastically ch anged not only the manner in which hand infections are treated, but the ult imate clinical results obtained. This brief review of the history of hand i nfections highlights the major contributions that have influenced the conte mporary medical and surgical approach to infections of the hand.