History of Medicine Timeline (Frank)

By 26FrankFuss
  • 4000 BCE

    4000 BC – 3000 BC

    4000 BC – 3000 BC
    The Primitive Times medicines Illness and diseases were
    Caused by evil spirits and demons.
    a punishment from the Gods.
    Tribal witch doctors treated illness with ceremonies
    Herbs and plants used as medicines (morphine and digitalis).
    Trepanation or Trephining (surgically removing a piece of bone from the skull)
    Average life span was 20 years old.
  • 3000 BCE

    3000 BC – 300 BC

    3000 BC – 300 BC
    The Ancient Egyptians. Physicians were priests
    Health Records were first recorded by the ancient Egyptians.
    Bloodletting or leeches used as medical treatment
    Average life span was 20-30 years of age.
  • 1700 BCE

    1700 BC – AD 220

    1700 BC – AD 220
    the 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
    The average life span was 20-30 years of age.
  • 1200 BCE

    1200 BC –200 BC

    1200 BC –200 BC
    The Ancient Greeks medicine. Hippocrates (Father of Medicine) and other physicians
    First to observe the human body and the effects of disease – led to modern medical sciences.
    Believed illness is a result of natural causes they used therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment.
    Stressed diet, hygiene and exercise as ways to prevent disease.
    Average life span was 25-35 years of age.
  • 753 BCE

    753 BC – AD 410

    753 BC – AD 410
    The 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 belief that the body was regulated by four body humors; blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.
    the average age was 25-35 years of age.
  • 400

    AD 400 – AD 800

    AD 400 – AD 800
    Dark AgesEmphasis on saving the soul and study of medicine was prohibited.
    Prayer and divine intervention were used to treat illness & disease.Monks and priests provided custodial care for sick people Medications were mainly herbal mixtures. Average life span was 20-30 years. Disease Cause still blamed on circumstance, but no understanding.
  • 800

    AD 800 – AD 1400

    AD 800 – AD 1400
    Middle Ages Renewed interest in medical practices of Greek and Romans. Bubonic Plague, 1300s killed 75% of population in Europe and Asia. Major diseases included smallpox, diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, the plaque, and malaria. Medical Universities were established in the 9th Century. Arabs began requiring physicians pass examinations and obtain licenses.
    Average life span was 20-35 years.
  • 1350

    AD 1350 – AD 1650

    AD 1350 – AD 1650
    Renaissance Rebirth of Science of Medicine
    Body Dissections led to increased understanding of anatomy and physiology. Invention of printing press allowed medical knowledge to be shared. First anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius. Average life span was 30-40 years. Disease cause STILL a mystery.
  • 1500

    16th and 17th Centuries

    16th and 17th Centuries
    Knowledge regarding the human body GREATLY increased
    Invention of the microscope. Allowed physicians to see disease-causing organisms. HUGE advancement. Apothecaries (early pharmacists) made, prescribed, and sold medications. Ambroise Pare a French surgeon, known as the Father of Modern Surgery established use of ligatures to stop bleeding. Average life span 35-45 years. Cause of disease still not known – many people died from infections. Some enlightenment though due to microscopce.

  • 18th Century

    18th Century
    Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736) created the first mercury thermometer. Smallpox vaccine discovered 1798
    John Hunter, established scientific surgical procedures and introduced tube feeding Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals
    Average life span 40-50 years.

  • 19th Century

    19th Century
    Rapid advancements due to discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations. First Open Heart Surgery - 1893. Infection control developed once microorganisms were associated with disease. Invention of the stethoscope - 1816. Formal training for nurses began. Women became active participants in health care. Average life span 40-60 years.

  • 20th Century Vaccines

    20th Century Vaccines
    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

  • 20th Century

    20th Century
    RAPID GROWTH in Health Care
    Increased knowledge about the role of blood in the body
    ABO blood groups discovered
    Found out how white blood cells protect against disease
    The structure of DNA and research in gene therapy (Ongoing)
    New medications were developed
    Insulin discovered and used to treat diabetes
    Antibiotics developed to fight infections

    New machines developed
    X-Ray
    Kidney Dialysis Machine
    Heart Lung Machine

  • 21st Century – Top 10

    21st Century – Top 10
    The first totally implantable artificial heart was placed in a patient in Louisville, Ky. In 2001
    Human Genome Project
    Map out human diseases in an effort to get an handle on genetic and autoimmune diseases
    Rapid advances in Stem Cell Research
    Re-Create lost/damaged tissue
    Advances in HIV Medication