History of Medicine- Katie Baker

Primitive Times

4000 BCE

During these times people believed illnesses and diseases were caused by evil spirits and demons were a punishment from the gods. Tribal witch doctors treated illness with ceremonies while other people treated such things using herbs and plants. The oldest surgical procedure known to humanity was done during this time. It was called trepanation or trephining which is surgically removing a piece of bone from the skull. The average lifespan was around 20 years of age.

Ancient Egyptians

3000 BCE

Health records were first recorded by the ancient Egyptians. During this time priests were also physicians, they used methods like bloodletting or leeches for medical treatments. The average lifespan was around 20-30 years.

Ancient Chinese

1700 BCE

The Ancient Chinese believed in the need to treat the whole body by curing the spirit and worshipping the body. They recorded a pharmacopeia of medications based mainly on herbs and used therapies such as acupuncture. They were the first to begin to search for medical reasons for disease. The average lifespan still remained around 20-30 years.

Ancient Greeks

1200 BCE

During this time Hippocrates the father of medicine and other physicians were the first to observe the human body and the effects of diseases which led to modern medical sciences. They believed illnesses were a result of natural causes so they began to use therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment. They stressed diet, hygiene, and exercise a lot as ways to prevent diseases. The average lifespan was around 25-35 years.

Ancient Romans

753 BCE

They were the first to organize medical care by providing care for injured soldiers and also had the first public health and sanitation systems by building sewers and aqueducts. During this time hospitals were religious and charitable institutions in monasteries and convents. The lifespan was around 25-35 years.

Dark Ages

400

During this time the emphasis on saving the soul and the study of medicine was prohibited. Monks and priests provided custodial care for sick people, and prayer, and divine intervention were used to treat illness and disease. However, medications were mainly herbal mixtures. At this time disease was still blamed on circumstance, but no understanding. The average lifespan was 20-30 years.

Middle Ages

800

They renewed a lot of their information in medical practices from the Greeks and the Romans. The bubonic plague and many other major diseases such as smallpox, malaria, and the plague all killed 75% of the European population. Medical universities were established and they started requiring physicians to pass examinations and obtain licenses. The average lifespan was around 20-30 years.

Renaissance

1350

This was the rebirth of the science of medicine. This led to an increased understanding of anatomy and physiology. Although the disease is still a mystery. The invention of the printing press allowed medical knowledge to be shared and the first anatomy book was published. The average lifespan was 30-40 years.

16th and 17th Centuries

1501

Knowledge of the human body greatly increased. The invention of the microscope was discovered which allowed physicians to see diseases-causing organisms, although the cause of the disease was still not known. They sold and prescribed many medications as weel as established the sue of ligatures to stop bleeding.

18th Century

1701

The first mercury thermometer was discovered as well as the smallpox vaccine, different surgical procedures, bifocals, and tube feeding. The average lifespan was between 40-50 years of age.

19th Century

1801

Rapid advances happened due to discoveries of microorganisms (which helped control infection), anesthesia, and vaccinations. The first open heart surgery was done. The invention of the stethoscope was made. Women became active participants in health care. Life span was around 40-60 years.

20th Century

1901

There was increased knowledge about the role of blood in the body (A, B, and O groups discovered). Found out the structure of DNA, made insulin to treat diabetes, antibiotics to fight infections, new machines (x-ray), and new surgical and diagnostics techniques. First bone marrow transplant, test tube babies, and organ and kidney transplants ever recorded.

21st Century

2001

There were rapid advancements in stem cell research and HIV medication. This first totally artificial heart was placed in a patient. Things like targeted cancer therapies, laparoscopic surgery, smoke-free laws, face transplants, and new vaccines were made.