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4000 BCE
Primitive Times
Illness and diseases were caused by evil spirits and demons, maybe even a punishment from god. Treated illness with ceremonies. They used herbs and plants as medicines (morphine and digitalis). They used Trepanation/Trephining. The average life span was 20 years. -
3000 BCE
Ancient Egyptians
Physicians were priests. The first health records were recorded by the ancient Egyptians. Bloodletting and leaches were used as medical treatment. The average life span was 20-30 years. -
1700 BCE
Ancient Chinese
Believed in the need to treat the whole body by curing the spirit and nourishing the body. Recorded a pharmacopoeia of medications based mainly on the use of herbs. Used therapies such as acupuncture. Began to search for medical reasons for illness. Average life span was 20-30 years. -
1200 BCE
Ancient Greek
Hippocrates (Father of Medicine) and other physicians were the first to observe the human body and the effects of disease, these led to modern medical sciences. Believed illness was a result of natural causes. Used therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment. Stressed diet, hygiene, and exercise were ways to prevent disease. Average life span was 25-35 years. -
753 BCE
Ancient Roman
First to organize medical care by providing care for injured soldiers. Hospitals became religious and charitable institutions in monasteries and convents. First public health and sanitation systems by building sewers and aqueducts. Galen established belief that the body was regulated by four body humors; blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Average life span is 25-35 years. -
400
Dark Age
Emphasized on saving the soul and study of medicine was prohibited. Prayer and divine intervention were used to treat illness and disease. Monks and priests provide custodial care for sick people. Medications were mainly herbal mixtures. Disease cause is still blamed on circumstance, no understanding. Average life span is 20-30 years. -
800
Middle Age
Renewed interest in medical practices of Greek and Romans. In 1100 the Arabs began requiring physicians to pass examinations and obtain licenses. In 1346-1353 the Bubonic Plague killed 75% of the population in Europe and Asia, major diseases included (smallpox, diptheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, the plague, and malaria). In 1220-1255 medical universities were established. Average life span is 20-35 years. -
1350
Renaissance
The rebirth of science and medicine. Body dissections led to increased understanding of anatomy and physiology. In 1440 a invention of the printing press allowed medical knowledge to be shared. In 1543 the first anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564). Disease cause is still a mystery. Average life span is 30-40 years. -
1501
16th-17th Century
Knowledge regarding the human body greatly increased. In the 1500's Abroise Pare, a French surgeon, known as the Father of Modern Surgery established use of ligatures to stop bleeding. In the 1600's apothecaries made, prescribed, and sold medications. In 1670 the microscope was invented, which allowed physicians to see disease causing organisms. Made a huge advancement. The cause of disease is still not known, many died of infections, the microscope helps. The average life span is 35-45 years. -
18th Century
In 1714 Gabriel Fahrenheit created the first mercury thermometer. In 1760 Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals. In 1778 John Hunter established scientific surgical procedures and introduced tube feeding. In 1798 smallpox vaccine was discovered. The average life span is 40-50 years. -
19th Century
Rapid advancements due to discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations. In 1895 the X-Ray machine was developed. In 1893 there was the first open heart surgery, infection control developed once microorganisms were associated with disease. In 1816 was the invention of the stethoscope. In 1860 the formal training for nurses began, women could become nurses. The average life span is 40-60 years. -
20th Century pt. 2
In 1956 the first bone marrow transplant happened, which initiated embryonic stem cell research. In 1978 test tube babies were invented. Organ transplants began, 1960 kidney transplants, 1963 liver transplants, 1967 heart transplants, and 1982 was artificial heart transplants. -
20th Century Vaccines
-Diptheria 1921
-Tuberculosis 1925
-Pertussis 1927
-Typhus 1937
-Influenza 1945
-Oal Polio 1962
-Measles 1963
-Mumps 1967
-Rubella 1970
-Chicken Pox 1974
-Streptococcus Pneumonia 1977
-Meningitis 1978
-Hepatitis B 1981
-Hepatitis A 1992
-Lyme Disease 1998
-Rotavirus 1998 -
20th Century Top 10
in 1910 laparoscopic surgery was invented, laparoscopic surgery is minimal invasive surgery using cameras. In 1970 they targeted cancer therapies, they interfered with the spread of cancer by blocking cells involved with tumor growth. in 1990 they made smoke free laws. In 1996 they made advances in HIV medication, turned a death sentence disease to a manageable chronic disease. in 1999 there were rapid advances in stem cell research, re-create lost/damaged tissue. -
20th Century
In 1901 ABO blood groups were discovered, they found out how white blood cells protect against disease. New medications were developed. In 1922 insulin was discovered and was used to treat diabetes. In 1928 antibiotics were developed to fight infections (penicillin). New machines were developed. In 1943 kidney dialysis machine was invented. In 1953 heart lung machine was invented. Techniques developed to cure. In 1953 the structure of DNA was discovered, started research in gene therapy. -
21st Century Top 10
In 2001 the first totally implantable artificial heart was placed in a patient in Louisville Ky. In 2003 the human genome project was completed, they mapped out human diseases in an effort to get a handle on genetic and autoimmune diseases. in 2005 face transplants were invented. Vaccines, 2006 HPV (prevent cervical cancer), 2015 Malaria, 2015 Ebola.