History of Medicine - Kellan Coffey

By Kellan Coffey
  • 4000 BCE

    Primitive Times

    Primitive Times
    • Diseases and illnesses were thought to be caused by evil spirits, or be punishment from the gods.
    • Illness was treated by ceremonies led by a tribal witch doctor.
    • Plants and herbs were used as medicines.
    • Trepanation - surgically removing a piece of bone from the skull - was used.
    • The average life span was 20 years.
  • 3000 BCE

    Ancient Egyptians

    Ancient Egyptians
    • The physicians were priests
    • The first health records were recorded by the ancient Egyptians
    • Bloodletting or the use of leeches were used as medical treatment.
    • The average lifespan was 20 to 30 years
  • 1700 BCE

    Ancient Chinese

    Ancient Chinese
    • Believed in the need to treat the whole body by curing the spirit and nourishing the body
    • Recorded a pharmacopeia- a book containing descriptions of medicines (effects and directions for use)- mainly on the use of herbs
    • Began to research medical reasons behind illness
    • Average lifespan of 20-30 years
  • 1200 BCE

    Ancient Greeks

    Ancient Greeks
    • Hippocrates (Father of medicine) and other physicians began emerging
    • The first to observe the human body and the effects of disease- this led to modern medical sciences
    • Believed illness is a result of natural causes
    • Used therapies(Massage, art therapy, herbal treatment)
    • Stressed diet, hygiene, and exercise as ways to prevent disease
    • Average life span was 25-35 years
  • 753 BCE

    Ancient Romans

    Ancient Romans
    • First to organize medical care by providing care for injured soldiers
    • Later hospitals were religious and charitable institutions in monasteries and convents
    • First public health and sanitation systems by building sewers and aqueducts
    • Galen established the belief that the body was regulated by four body humors; Blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile
    • Life span was 25-35 years
  • 400

    Dark ages

    Dark ages
    • Emphasis on saving the soul and the 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 was still blamed on circumstance, but with no understanding
    • Average life span was 20-30 years
  • 800

    Middle ages

    Middle ages
    • Renewed interest in medical practices of Greek and Romans
    • In 1100 AD, Arabs began requiring physicians to pass examinations in Europe and obtain licenses
    • 1346-1353, Bubonic plague killed 75% in Europe and Asia
    • Major diseases included- smallpox, diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, the plaque, and malaria
    • 1220-1255, Medical universities were established
    • Average life span was 20-35 years
  • 1350

    Renaissance

    Renaissance
    • Science of Medicine was reborn
    • Body directions led to increased understanding of anatomy and physiology
    • 1440: Invention of the printing press allowed medical knowledge to be shared
    • 1543: First anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius
    • Cause of disease was still a mystery
    • Average lifespan was 30-40
  • 1500

    16th and 17th Centuries

    16th and 17th Centuries
    • Knowledge regarding the human body greatly increased
    • 1500s: Ambroise Pare- A French surgeon known as the Father of Modern Surgery- established the use of ligatures to stop bleeding
    • 1600s: Apothecaries- early pharmacists- made, prescribed, and sold medications
    • 1670: Invention of the microscope-- allowed physicians to see disease-causing organisms
    • Cause of disease still not known-- many people died from infections--
    • Average lifespan 35-45 years

  • 18th Century

    18th Century
    • 1714: Gabriel Fahrenheit created the first mercury thermometer
    • 1760: Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals
    • 1778: John Hunter established scientific surgical procedures and introduced tube feeding
    • 1798: Smallpox vaccine discovered
    • Average lifespan 40-50 years

  • 19th Century

    19th Century
    • Rapid advancements due to the discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations
    • 1816: Invention of the stethoscope
    • 1860: Formal training for nurses began-- women became active participants in healthcare
    • 1893: First Open Heart Surgery -- Infection control developed once microorganisms were associated with disease
    • 1895: X-Ray Machine is Developed
    • Average lifespan was 40-60 years

  • 20th Century

    20th Century
    • Rapid Growth in healthcare
    • 1901: ABO blood groups discovered-- Found out how white blood cells protects against disease
    • New medications are developed
    • 1922: Insulin discovered and used to treat diabetes
    • 1928: Antibiotics developed to fight infections
    • New machines are developed
    • 1943: Kidney Dialysis Machine
    • 1953: Heart Lung Machine
    • Surgical and diagnostic techniques developed to cure once fatal conditions
    • 1953: Structure of DNA is discovered and research in gene therapy begins

  • 21st Century

    21st Century
    • 2001: The totally implantable artificial heart was placed in a patient in Louisville, Kentucky
    • 2003: Human Genome Project Completed
    • Mapped out human disease in an effort to get a handle on genetic and autoimmune diseases
    • 2005: Face transplants
    • Vaccines - HPV, Malaria, Ebola
    • Prevent Cervical Cancer