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During primitive times, humans did not understand what diseases and illnesses were. It was thought to be caused by evil, spirits, demons, or even punishments from their gods. -
One way primitive humans attempted to combat diseases/illnesses were through tribal witch doctors. These witch doctors would hold ceremonies in an attempt to cure someone. -
Primitive Humans found that some herbs and plants would help against some illnesses/diseases. For example these plants could give the drug Morphine from plants like Opium. These would help ease pain of primitive humans. -
An ancient surgery these primitive humans would perform on each other was known as trephining. The process would use sharp rocks to drill a piece of bone from the skull to remove alleviate pressure or even to release evil spirits in the heads of the mentally ill. -
The average life expectancy of primitive humans was considered to be only 20 years. This is because humans had no idea what were diseases or illnesses and had no real way to fight them. -
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In Ancient Egypt, holy priests took the role of physicians. The sick were often sent to holy sites to pray to their gods for healing. -
The Egyptians had started to create the first known health records. These records were hieroglyphics that told of a person's health that more than one physician could understand. -
One way Egyptians attempted to help the ill was through bloodletting. The thought process of cutting and letting the sick bleed to get rid of "bad blood" out of the body. Sometimes using leeches to suck out the blood instead of cutting (usually) wrists. -
During the Egyptian age, the average age was now 20-30 years. -
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The Chinese believed that it was vital to treat the entire body including the person's soul/spirit. -
The Chinese had recorded the abilities of herbs and eventually created places like a pharmacy to provide herbs for medicine. -
One way the Ancient Chinese would treat people was through physical therapy like massages. One form of therapy was known as Acupuncture involving many needles and is still sometimes used today, although more for wanting rather physical therapy. -
The Ancient Chinese had begun to question why and how people were becoming sick. Although they never figured out why they were beginning to consider. -
The average life expectancy of the Ancient Chinese was around 20-30 years. -
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Hippocrates was a Greek Physician. He is considered in history as the Father of Medicine. He was one of the first to observe symptoms and their effects on people. He and other physicians believed that illness was a result of natural causes. -
The Ancient Greeks used many forms of therapy to help treat the sick. These included massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment. -
Greek Physicians had begun to stress the importance of staying clean, keeping a good diet, and exercise. -
The average life expectancy of the Ancient Greeks had increased to 25-35 years. This increase is likely due to their healthier lifestyle and hygiene. -
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The Ancient Romans were considered the first to have organized medical care for when their soldiers were injuries and in need of medical attention. -
Hospitals were found in religious and charitable institutions in monasteries and convents. -
The Ancient Romans developed some of the first public systems for health and sanitization. The creation of sewers and aqueducts allowed Romans to easily keep sanitary. -
Galen, a physician, claimed that the human body was regulated by four body humors. These were blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. -
The average lifespan of the Ancient Romans were though to be around 25-35 years.
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During the Dark Ages, Religion took a major role in power and had decided they did not like medicine. Since religion was basically the highest authority they prohibited the study of medicine and saving the soul medically. -
Prayers and Divine Intervention became the only way to treat illness & disease specifically from priests. -
Due to the ban of medical study, priests and monks took over the role of physicians and caring for the sick. -
Many herbal mixtures were used for medical treatment and was the main (real) way of care. -
During this time the cause of diseases were still unknown but were thought to be caused based on circumstances. But there was no real understanding. -
During the Dark Ages, the average life expectancy dropped since the Romans likely because of the ban of medical study. The average lifespan is now 20-30 years. -
The first medical universities were established around the 9th century. Taught concepts of the body and other principles that would sometimes come from past physicians like Hippocrates or Galen. -
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The Middle Ages brought a new interest in medical practices from the Greeks and Romans. -
The Arabs had begun to require physicians to pass examinations and obtain licenses in order to become a physician themselves. -
The Bubonic Plague was one of the most deadly plagues that struck Europe wiping out around 75% of the Europe and Asia population. -
Many diseases were discovered and named around this time. These include Smallpox, Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Bubonic Plague, and Malaria. -
The average life expectancy from someone during the Middle Ages was around 20-35 years. -
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The Renaissance was also known as the Rebirth Of Science Of Medicine. Although diseases and illnesses were still a mystery. There were many huge advancements that would set up following centuries. -
With the invention of the printing press from Johannes Gutenberg, it allowed for a medical knowledge to be more easily shared then ever before. -
Many people took to dissecting bodies for knowledge. although the means of obtaining them were likely not legal these dissections led to huge increase in understanding of anatomy and physiology. -
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The first anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius, an anatomist. -
Amborise Pare was a French surgeon who become known as the Father of Modern Surgery for his establishment of Ligatures. These ligatures were used to stop bleeding during surgery. -
The invention of the microscope allowed physicians to see disease causing organisms. This was a huge advancement. The microscope was invented by Zacharias Janssen. -
The average life expectancy during the Renaissance was around 30-40 years. -
Apothecaries were the early pharmacists. They made, prescribed, and sold medications to the public. -
During the 16th & 17th centuries, the average life expectancy was around 35-45 years. Causes of disease were still unknown and many people died from infections during this time. -
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Gabriel Fahrenheit created the first mercury thermometer. -
John Hunter established scientific surgical procedures. Hunter also introduced the concept of tube feeding. -
Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocals, glasses with two different optical powers. -
The Smallpox vaccine was discovered in 1798 by Edward Jenner. -
The average lifespan in the 18th century was between 40-50 years. -
During the 19th century there were rapid advancements in discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations. -
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The stethoscope was invented in 1816 by a French physician named Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laënnec. -
Formal training for nurses began around the 19th century to assist doctors. Women became an active part in health care quite often as these nurses. -
Different blood types are discovered (ABO). As well as the discovery of the white blood cells and their protection against diseases. -
After the discovery of microorganisms and their associated with disease, infections will able to start being put under control. -
The first open heart surgery was done by Doctor Daniel H. Williams. -
The average lifespan during the 19th century was between 40-60 years. -
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During the 20th century there is a very rapid growth in health care because of new knowledge, discoveries, medications, and machines. -
The Tuberculosis vaccine was created by French bacteriologists Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. -
Many new medications were developed, one being Insulin used to treat diabetes. Alongside medications were antibiotics used to fight bacteria and infections. -
Many new machines are developed during the 20th century. These include the X-Ray (1895), Kidney Dialysis Machine (1943), and a Heart Lung Machine (1953). -
The Typhus vaccine was developed by Rudolf Stefan Jan Weigl, a Polish biologist. -
DNA was discovered around the 1950s. It was a sort of competition from many scientists/medical professionals attempting to learn and discover DNA. -
The first bone marrow transplant was performed Doctor E. Donnall Thomas for a child with Leukemia. This also initiated research in embryonic stem cells. -
The Measles vaccine was developed by Maurice Hilleman, an American microbiologist. -
The first organ transplant for the kidney was done in 1960 by Doctor Michael Woodruff.
The first successful liver transplant was done in 1963 by Doctor Starzl.
The first heart transplant was in 1967 completed by Doctor Christiaan Barnard.
The first artificial heart to be implanted was in 1982 to patient Barney Clark, created by Robert Jarvik. -
The Chicken Pox vaccine was developed Michiaki Takahashi, a Japanese virologist. -
Test tube babies are conceived in vitro fertilization where the word vitro means glass. The fertilization is done outside the uterus in a glass vessel by combining a female egg with a sperm. vitro fertilization and test-tube babies are the same. -
Some other important vaccines include:
Diptheria – 1921
Pertussis – 1927
Influenza – 1945
Oral Polio – 1962
Mumps – 1967
Rubella – 1970
Streptococcus Pneumonia – 1977
Meningitis – 1978
Hepatitis B – 1981
Hepatitis A – 1992
Lyme Disease – 1998
Rotavirus - 1998 -
The average life expectancy in the 20th century is considered to be around 50-65 years. -
Smoke free laws were introduced in the late 1900's and early 2000's in order to combat second hand smoke as well as smoking in general. -
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New therapies in cancer allowing the interference with spread of cancer by blocking nearby cells and those growing from the tumor. Also including identifying and killing the cancer cells directly through forms of radiation. -
The Human Genome Project goal is to map out the entire DNA code of the human body in an attempt to further understand human diseases and get a hold on genetic and autoimmune diseases. -
Doctors have recently been able create medication to combat HIV turning it from a death sentence into a chronic disease. -
The first face transplant was performed by Doctor Bernard Devauchelle, Benoit Lengelé, and Jean-Michel Dubernard. -
The HPV vaccine was developed by Ian Frazer and Jian Zhou. It it extremely effective if taken before possibly contracting HPV. Can also prevent cervical cancer. -
Many recent advances in recreating lost/damaged tissue. As well as further learning how to use and control stem cells. -
Laparoscopic surgery is a surgery practice allowing for minimal invasion. This surgery usually takes place around the abdomen or pelvis. -
The Ebola vaccine was developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. -
The first Malaria vaccine was developed by Manuel Elkin Patarroyo known as SPf66. -
Today the average life expectancy is thought to be around 65-75 years. However with good health, hygiene, and medicine. This number is likely to become larger in the future.