History of Medicine- Claire Ashby

  • Primitive Times
    3000 BCE

    Primitive Times

    At this time there were very few things know about medical knowledge. Due to this lack of information people believed that diseases were caused by evil spirits or as a punishment from God. Also, due to their lack of knowledge they had some medical practices that are crazy for us today, for example, trepanation, which was believed to release evil spirits from the head. During this time herbs and plants were used as medicine and the average life span was only 20 years.
  • Ancient Egyptians
    300 BCE

    Ancient Egyptians

    Medical records were first recorded during this time. Bloodletting and leeching were common treatments during this time and treatments were administered by priests. The average lifespan was increased to 20-30 years during this time
  • Ancient chineese
    220 BCE

    Ancient chineese

    The ancient Chinese believed that the whole body needed to be cured by nourishing the body and curing the spirit. During this time period, they began looking for medical reasons why there were illnesses and what caused them. They used therapies such as acupuncture which is still used today!!! The life span for this time was also 20-30 years.
  • Ancient Greeks
    200 BCE

    Ancient Greeks

    This was the first area and time to observe the body and the effects of diseases. They believed in the fact that illnesses happened because of natural causes rather than evil spirits. This time stressed diet, exercise, and hygiene as good ways to help prevent illness. The average life span for this time was increased to 25-35
  • Ancient Romans
    410

    Ancient Romans

    This was the first time to organize medical care, intended for soldiers. Hospitals were religious institutes in monasteries and convents. During this time the first public sanitation systems were put in place. These included aqueducts and sewer systems. It was believed that the body was regulated by the four body humors. Life span averaged 25-35 years
  • Dark Ages
    800

    Dark Ages

    Medical knowledge and advancement came to a halt during this time while people focused more on saving the soul rather than the body. prayer and divine interventions were used to cure illness. The life span decreased at this time back to 20-30 years.
  • Middle ages
    1400

    Middle ages

  • Renissance

    Renissance

    The science of medicine was reborn during this time. People dissected the body which led to a greater understanding of anatomy. The printing press was invented which helped medical discoveries and practices be more widespread. Disease was still unknown. The average lifespan at this time was 30-40 years.
  • 16th and 17th centuries

    16th and 17th centuries

    Knowledge of the body is greatly increased during this time. The microscope was invented in this period which helped physicians see disease-causing organisms. Early pharmasies were made Ligatures were invented to help, stop bleeding during surgery. Disease was still unknown but more knowledge was given. Life span was increased to 35-45 years.
  • 18th century

    18th century

    The first thermometer was invented at this time by Gabriel Fahrenheit. The Small Pox vaccine was found at this time. More surgical procedures were made in this time and tube feeding was discovered. Benjamin Franklyn invented bifocals. The average lifespan was now 40-50 years.
  • 19th century

    19th century

    Big advancements in medical knowledge were made during this time. The first open-heart surgery happened in 1893. Infections were more controlled once they realized the microorganisms were associated with infection. In 1816 the stethoscope was invented. Nurses now had to be formally trained. The average life span was now 40-60 years.
  • 20th century

    20th century

    Rapid growth in health care happened at this time. The role of blood was greatly increased. New medication and machines were developed. More transplants were made such as bone marrow, kidney, liver, heart, and the first artificial heart was put in. Many vaccines were also discovered in this time such as Turbuculosis, Typhus, and Influenza just to name a few.
  • 21 Century

    21 Century

    Rapid advancement in stem cell research happed at this time as well as in HIV Medication. Targeted cancer therapies happed at this time. Laparoscopic surgy which was a minimal invasive surgy happened at this time. Smoke-free laws were put in at this time which decreases 2nd hand smoke.