History of Medicine - Adeline DiRocco

  • Primitave Times
    4000 BCE

    Primitave Times

    • It was believed that illness and disease were caused my evil spirits, demons, or punishment from the gods. -Herbs and plants were used as treatment, as well as tribal witch ceremonies, and trepenation or trephining (cutting a hole in the skull) -The average life span was only 20 years.
  • Ancient Egyptians
    3000 BCE

    Ancient Egyptians

    -Most physicians and doctors were priests
    -The first ever health and medical records were recorded by ancient egyptians
    -People used blood letting and leaches for treatment
    -The average life span was only 20-30 years
  • Ancient Chinese
    1700 BCE

    Ancient Chinese

    -People believed you needed to cleanse and nourish the whole body and spirit
    -Methods like herbs and acupunture were very popular
    -Around this time, people started trying to research and understand reasons for medical illness
    -The average life span was still only 20-30 years
  • Ancient Greeks
    1200 BCE

    Ancient Greeks

    -Hipocrates- who was known as the father of medicine- as well as other physicians made discoveries such as:
    -They were the first to really observe the human body and the effects of illness
    -They believed illness was caused by natural things
    -They used massage therapy, art therapy, and herbal treatments
    -They also discovered that a healthy diet, good hygeine, and regular exercise were ways to improve health and prevent disease.
    -The average life span increased a bit, 25-35 years
  • Ancient Romans
    753 BCE

    Ancient Romans

    -First people to organize care for injured soliders
    -Hospitals were religious and were charitable institutions
    -These people were the first to come up with sanitation ideas, and came up with sewers and aquaducts.
    -It was believed that the body was regulated by four different humors: blood, phelgm, black bile, and yellow bile.
    -The average life span was 25-35 years
  • Dark Ages
    400

    Dark Ages

    -Previous knowledge of anythng medical went out the window.
    -Study of medicine was prohibited, people focused on saving their soul
    -Prayer and devine interventions were used to treat illnesses and diseases
    -Priets and Monks provided some care for sick people
    -Medications were mainly herbal mixtures
    -Disease was blamed on circumstance, but no one understood how it worked.
    -Average life span was 20-30 years
  • Middle Ages
    800

    Middle Ages

    -Greek and Romans: There was a new interest in medicine and anatomy
    -Arabs: They began requiring people to pass examinations, and obtain medical licenses before practicing medicine
    -Europe and Asia: In 1346-1353, the Bubonic Plauge killed 75% of the population. Major diseases were also smallpox, diptheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, the plague and malaria.
    -Medical universities were established in 1220
    - The average lifespan was 20-35 years
  • Renaissance
    1350

    Renaissance

    -Rebirth of Science of Medicine
    -Body dissections led to a better understanding of anatomy and physiology
    -In 1440, the invention of the printing press allowed for medical information and knowledge to be shared
    -In 1543, The firsr ever anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius
    -Disease was still a mystery, even with the understadning of anatomy
    -The average life span was 30-40 years
  • 16th and 17th Centuries
    1500

    16th and 17th Centuries

    -The knowledge surrounding the human body GREATLY increased
    -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, this was a HUGE advancment
    Average life span 35-45 years
    Cause of disease still not known – many people died from infections
  • 18th Century

    18th Century

    -In 1714, Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736) created the first mercury thermometer
    -In 1760, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals
    -In 1778, John Hunter established scientific surgical procedures and introduced tube feeding
    -In 1798, a Smallpox vaccine discovered
    The average life span was 40-50 years
  • 19th Century

    19th Century

    -There were rapid advancements due to discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations
    -In 1895, the first X-Ray Machine Developed
    -In 1893, the First Open Heart Surgery took place
    -Infection control developed once microorganisms were associated with disease
    -In 1816, there was the Invention of the stethoscope
    - in 1860, Formal training for nurses began
    -Women became active participants in health care
    The average life span 40-60 years
  • 20th Century Continued

    20th Century Continued

    -1956: First Bone Marrow Transplant
    Initiated Embryonic Stem Cell Research
    -1978: Test tube babies
    Organ Transplants
    -1960: Kidney
    -1963: Liver
    -1967: Heart
    -1982: Artificial Heart
  • 20th Century

    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