Rails spinoffs - Aug 2005 - Form.Element.getValue for checkboxes and radios?

I notice that Form.Element.getValue() takes a single element or id and 
returns the element name and value.  How does one handle getting the 
values of checkboxes and/or radios which share the same control name, 
save getting them one at a time?

  <fieldset>
   <legend>Medical History</legend>
   <input name="history_illness"
          type="checkbox"
          value="Smallpox" /> Smallpox
   <input name="history_illness"
          type="checkbox"
          value="Mumps" /> Mumps
   <input name="history_illness"
          type="checkbox"
          value="Dizziness" /> Dizziness
   <input name="history_illness"
          type="checkbox"
          value="Sneezing" /> Sneezing
  </fieldset>

Is there already an easy way to do something like 
Form.Element.getValueByName(''history_illness'') built into
Prototype or
is that left as an exercise for the reader (me)?


Thanks in advance,

Faust