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Believed that illness and disease were caused by supernatural spirits and demons. Tribal witch doctors treated illnesses with ceremonies to drive out evil spirts. Herbs and plants were used as medicines, and some, such as morphine for pain and digitalis for the heart, are still used today. Trepanation or trephining, or boring a hole in the skull, was used to treat insanity, epilepsy, and headache. The average lifespan was only 20 years.
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Earliest people known to maintain accurate health records. Called upon the gods to heal them when disease occurred. Physicians were priests who studied medicines and surgery in temple medical schools. First physician was Imhotep. Believed that the body was a system of channels for air, tears, blood, urine, sperm, and feces. If any channels became “clogged,” bloodletting or leeches were used to “open” them. Used magic and medicinal plants to treat disease. The average lifespan was 20 - 30 years.
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Due to their religion, they would not dissect the human body. This led to inadequate knowledge of body structure. Monitored the pulse carefully to determine the condition of the body. Used acupuncture, or puncture of the skin by needles, to relieve pain and congestion. Also used moxibustion to treat disease. Believed in the need to treat the whole body by curing the spirit and nourishing the body. Began the search for medical reasons for illness. Average lifespan was 20 to 30 years.
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They began modern medicine science by observing the human body and the effects of disease. Developed an organized method to observe the human body. Aristotle dissected animals and is called the founder of comparative anatomy. Hippocrates is called the father of medicine. Believed illness was a result of natural causes. Uses therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment, which are still used today. Average lifespan was 25 to 35 years.
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First to organize medical care by providing for injured soldiers. Early hospitals developed when physicians cared for ill people in their homes. Began public health and sanitation systems: created aqueducts to carry clean water to the cities, built sewers to carry waste materials from cities, and used filtering systems in public baths to prevent disease. Diet, exercise, and medications were used to treat disease. Average lifespan was 25 to 35 years.
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Emphasis was placed on saving the soul, and study of medicine was prohibited. Prayer and divine intervention were used to treat illness and disease. Monks and priests provided care for people when sick. Medications were usually herbal mixtures. The average lifespan was 20 to 30 years.
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Renewed interest in the medical practice of Greeks and Romans. Physicians began to obtain knowledge at medical universities. Arab physicians used their knowledge of chemistry to advance pharmacology. A pandemic of the bubonic plague killed 3/4 of Europe and Asia population. Rhazes, a Arab physician became known as the Arab Hippocrates. Suggested that blood was the cause of many infectious diseases. Began the use of animal hut for suture material. Average lifespan was 20 to 30 years.
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Rebirth of the science of medicine. Dissection of the body began to allow better understanding of anatomy and physiology. Artist such as Leonardo Da Vinci, used dissection in order to draw the human body more realistically. The first anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius. Average lifespan increased a little, 30 to 40 years.
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Causes of disease were still not known and many people died from infections and puerperal (childbirth) fevers. Ambroise Pare established use of ligatures to bind arteries and stop bleeding. He also eliminated use of boiling oil to cauterize wounds. Gabriel Fallopius identified the fallopian tubes in the femaleAnd described the tympanic membrane in the ear. Average lifespan was 35 to 45 years.
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Anton van Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope. Bartolomeo Eustachio identified the Eustachian tube leading from the ear to the throat. William Harvey described the circulation of blood flow to and rom the heart in 1628. Scientific societies, such as the Royal Society of London, were established. Apothecaries (early pharmacists) made, prescribed, and sold medications. Average lifespan was 35 to 45 years.
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Gabriel Fahrenheit created the first mercury thermometer. Joseph Priestly discovered the element oxygen. John Hunter established scientific surgical procedures, and introduced tube feeding. Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals for glasses. James Lind prescribed lime juice containing vitamin C to prevent scurvy. Edward Jenner developed a vaccination for smallpox. Average lifespan was 40 to 50 years.
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Royal College of Surgeons (medical school) founded in London. French barbers acted as surgeons by extracting teeth, using leeches for treatment, and giving enemas. First successful blood transfusion was preformed on humans. Elizabeth Blackwell became the first female physician in the U.S. William Roentgen discovered roentgenograms. International Red Cross was founded in 1863. Established sanitary and efficient nursing units. Average lifespan was 40 to 60 years.
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This century was filled with many medical advances. Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. The first heart-lung machine was used for open heart surgery in 1953. First successful liver, lung, and heart transplants. Discovered the CAT scan in 1975. The first test tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in England in 1978. was born Average lifespan was 60 to 70 years.
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