Epidemiological and Public Health Historical Events

  • 460 BCE

    Hippocrates

    -Considered to be the "Father of Medicine"
    -Had a theory that the body consisted of 4 humors: black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm (which were all connected to and controlled by part of the universe...earth, fire, air, and water respectively)
  • 1000

    Cauterization

    -Invented over 1000 years ago to stop bleeding with the use of heat
  • 1495

    First Syphilis Outbreak

    -Occurred in French troops in Italy
    -Disease was cured by Penicillin
  • Invention of the Microscope

    -Invented by Zacharias Janssen
  • Dr. James Durham

    -First African-American doctor in the US (in New Orleans)
    -Bought his way out of slavery after being born into it in 1762
    -He was taught by his owners, who were also doctors, before opening his own medical practice
  • Vaccines

    -First used to display an immunity to smallpox
    -Paved the way for vaccines in the future
  • Hypodermic Needles

    -These hollow metal needles were first created by Francis Rynd
  • Anesthesia

    -Invented October 16, 1846
    -Previously, the only way doctors could help patients dull the pain was by "biting the bullet," opioids, or alcohol
  • Elizabeth Blackwell

    -She was the first woman to gain access into a medical school (Geneva Medical School), although it had been intended as a joke
    -After graduating first in her class, she finally began to gain the respect she deserved.
    -In 1857, Blackwell opened an infirmary for women and children
    -Later on in 1968, she opened up her own medical college for women
    -Blackwell, without a doubt, paved the way for women in medicine.
  • Germ Theory

    -Louis Pasteur proved that germs were the cause of diease
  • First Medical Thermometer

    -Invented by Sir Thomas Allbut
    -It took about 5 minutes to take someone's temperature
  • Invention of Contacts

    The first contact lenses were made out of glass and were made to completely cover the eye
  • References

    -Attached in word document