That's so true Stef, it's totally nonsensical. Information from books (especially a 19th-century, 170-year-old book) is not like fine wine: it doesn't get better with time. The accuracy fades with time. Eventually, like Stef mentioned, it becomes completely absurd, like it is today. No one here is coughing up blood, has falling out teeth, chest burning/buckling up, stationary limbs, and sudden death. If anyone experienced anything like that, he would be in the hospital, not here.
PS: The same is true for medical practices too, not just information. Just look at all the crazy things they gave people:
http://www.cracked.com/article_15669_the-10-most-insane-medical-practices-in-history.html Good thing nothing that insane ever goes on today! ...oh wait, never mind. hehe