The medical field was vastly different in 1977 then it is today, 34 years later, Because of acquired knowledge. To show these differences, I went through The Encyclopedia Of The Human Body (Copyright: 1977). Here are 5 examples:

1977

Anaphylaxis (Potentialy fatal allergic reaction) was still being studied in lab animals & it was said that a "similar reaction" occurs in man.
Anorexia Nervosa was said to be uncommon & thought to occur in "sensitive, young, unmarried women."
Aspirin was new to the market & was nothing more then a pain reliever.
Autism was defined as a "tendency to see the world in terms of ones own needs & wishes" & was associated with Schizophrenia.
Epilepsy Was just being recognized as a physical disorder (previously thought of as a mental illness). It was thought that a majority of the cases were signs of other diseases & if there was no cause it was hereditary. Only 3 types of seizures were known & Epileptics were forbidden to marry.

2011

Anaphylaxis Is now known to produce nearly the same reaction in man as in those lab animals 34 years ago.
Anorexia Nervosa Is now known as a common eating disorder that effects teens & adults alike. It doesn't discriminate between young & old, or married & unmarried.
Aspirin is now known to have Anti-Coagulant (blood-thinning) properties & besides pain relief, can aide in prevention against heart attacks for those at risk.
Autism is now known to be a much more difficult & complex disorder & is no longer associated with Schizophrenia.
Epilepsy is now known to be caused by many different factors, both hereditary & non-hereditary. Further studies have shown us that there are more then just the original 3 types of seizures (ex: Status Epilepticus). Thanks to fair laws, Epileptics can now get married.
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