History of Medicine- Erna Smajlovic

Primitive Times

4000 BCE

People thought Illness and diseases were caused by evil spirits and demons that was a punishment from the Gods. At this time herbs and plants were used as medicines. They also would perform trepanations. They lacked written information. The average life span was 20.

Ancient Egyptians

3000 BCE

At this time physicians were priests. Also, health records were first recorded by the ancient Egyptians. They were recorded by carving stone and clay. They used leeches as medical treatment. And the average life span was 20-30 years old.

Ancient Chinese

1700 BCE

They believed in treating the whole body and nourishing it. They recorded a pharmacopoeia of medications based on herbs. They used therapies such as acupuncture. They began medical research for illness. People began changing their lifestyle choices. And the average life span was 20-30 years.

Ancient Greeks

1200 BCE

They were the first to observe the human body and the effects of disease. They led us to modern day medical sciences. At this time a doctor can set a broken bone, amputate limbs, drain fluid from lungs, and perform bloodletting.

Ancient Romans

753 BCE

They were the first to organize medical care. The hospitals were religious and charitable institutions in monasteries and convents. It was the first public health and sanitation system by building sewers and aqueducts. They also drained marshes to reduce Malaria. The average life span was 25-35 years.

Dark Ages

400

They went back to believing in saving the soul and spirits. The quality of medical practitioners were poor. The study of medicine was prohibited. Monks and priests provide custodial care for the sick people. Herbal mixtures were used for medications. The average life span went down back to 20-30 years

Middle ages

800

Medical practice began again and they studied the Greek and Romans. However, as the population of medieval towns increased health conditions worsened. In 1100 Arabs began requiring physicians to pass an exam and obtain a license. In 1346- 1353 the Bubonic plague killed 75% of the population in Europe and Asia. In 1220-1255 Medical universities were established. The average life span was still 20-35.

Renaissance

1350

The renaissance is called the "rebirth of science of medicine". In this time body dissections led to the understanding of anatomy and physiology. There was an advanced surgical technique made by Pare. In 1440 the invention of the printing press allowed medical knowledge to be shared. In 1543 the first anatomy book was published by Andres Vesalius. The average life span improved and was 30-40 years.

16th and 17th Centuries

1500

There was more knowledge regarding the human body. In the 1500's Pare a French surgeon established the use of ligatures to stop bleeding. In the 1600 apothecaries were made, prescribed, and sold medications. However, these medicines were produced with materials like lead or mercury. In the 1670 the invention of microscopes were made. This allowed physicians to see disease-causing organisms. The average life span was 35-45 years.

18th Century

1700

In 1714 Gabriel Fahrenheit created the first mercury thermometer. 1760 Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals. In 1778 John Hunter established scientific surgical procedures and introduced the feeding tube. In 1798 the smallpox vaccine was discovered. During this time physicians had a better understanding of organ functionality. At this point of time the average life span was 40-50 years.

19th Century

1801

There was a rapid advancement because of the discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations. A French chemist Louis Pasteur discovered the germs cause diseases. In 1895 the x-ray machine was developed. In 1893 the first open heart surgery was performed. In 1816 the stethoscope was invented. In 1860 formal training for nurses began. The average life span was 40-60 years.

20th century

1901

There was rapid growth in health care. In 1901 ABO blood groups were discovered. In 1922 insulin was discovered and used to treat diabetes. 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin and was developed to fight infections. His penicillin was the world's first antibiotic. In 1943 there was a kidney dialysis machine. In 1953 there was a heart lung machine. In 1953 the structure of DNA was discovered and researched.

20th century

1953

In 1956 the first bone marrow transplant happened. In 1978 test tube babies happened. They started doing organ transplants. Vaccine for polio were discovered.

20th Century Vaccines

1954

• Diptheria- 1921 -Tuberculosis – 1925
• Pertussis – 1927
• Typhus – 1937
• Influenza – 1945
• Oral 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 The DTP vaccines everyone would get because it prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

21st Century

1970

In 1970 laparoscopic surgery was performed. Again in 1970 research targeted caner therapies. In 1990 the government implemented smoke free laws to reduce 2nd hand smoke. In 1996 there were advances in HIV medication. 1999 there was rapid advances in Stem Cell Research. At this time there was a huge shortage of health care providers.

21st Century

2000

In 2001 the first totally implantable artfical heart was place in a patient. In 2003 the Human Genome project was completed. In 2005 they began face transplants. Electronic health records started to become a thing.
Vaccines:
2006- (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine)
2015- Malaria
2015- Ebola