History Of Medicine: Michael Kerr

By michaelkerr
  • 4000 BCE

    Diseases

    Diseases were believed to be caused by evil spirits and trepanation was practiced. Average Life Span:20 yrs
  • 3000 BCE

    Ancient Egyptians

    Physicians were priests and bloodletting was used as a medical treatment. Average Life Span: 20-30 yrs
  • 1700 BCE

    Ancient Chinese

    They believed that the whole body needed to be treated by curing the spirit. Acupuncture was practiced. Average Lifespan: 20-30 yrs.
  • 1200 BCE

    Ancient Greeks

    First to observe the human body and the effect of diseases. Therapies such as massages and herbal treatment were used and good hygiene and a stressed diet were practiced to prevent diseases. Average Life Span: 25-35
  • 753 BCE

    Ancient Romans

    First to organize medical care by providing care for injured soldiers. They were the first to build public health system. Lifespan: 25-35
  • 400

    The Dark Ages

    Authority prohibited emphasis on saving the soul and the study of medicine. Monks and priests helped the sick and most used treatments were herbal ointments. Life Span: 20-30 yrs
  • 800

    Middle Ages

    1100: Arabs had Physicians pass examinations and obtain licences.
    1346-1353: The Bubonic plague began and wiped out 75% of Europe's population.
    1220: Medical universities were established.
    Lifespan: 20-35 yrs
  • 1350

    The Renaissance

    Body Dissections led to increased understanding of anatomy and physiology
    1440: Invention of printing press allowed medical knowledge to be shared
    1543: First anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564)
    Average life span was 30-40 years
  • 1500

    The 16th and 17th Centuries

    1500’s: Ambroise Pare, a French surgeon, known as the Father of Modern Surgery established use of ligatures to stop bleeding
    1600’s: Apothecaries (early pharmacists) made, prescribed, and sold medications
    1670: Invention of the microscope
    Allowed physicians to see disease-causing organisms.
    HUGE advancement
    Average life span 35-45 years and disease causes were still unknown

  • 18th Century

    1714: Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736) 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 life span 40-50 years

  • 19th Century

    Rapid advancements due to discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations
    1895: X-Ray Machine Developed
    1893: First Open Heart Surgery
    Infection control developed once microorganisms were associated with disease
    1816: Invention of the stethoscope
    1860: Formal training for nurses began
    Women became active participants in health care
    Average life span 40-60 years

  • 20th century

    1901: ABO blood groups discovered
    Found out how white blood cells protect against disease
    New medications were developed
    1922: Insulin discovered and used to treat diabetes
    1928: Antibiotics developed to fight infections (penicillin)
    New machines developed
    1943: Kidney Dialysis Machine
    1953: Heart Lung Machine
    Surgical and diagnostic techniques developed to cure once fatal conditions
    1953: Structure of DNA discovered and research in gene therapy begins