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Period: 4000 BCE to 3000 BCE
Primitive Times
People believed that illness and disease were caused by supernatural spirits and demons. Tribal witch doctors treated illness with ceremonies to drive out evil spirits. Herbs and plants were used as medicines, and some are still used today. Trepanation or trephining (boring a hole in the skull) was used to treat insanity and epilepsy. Average life span was 20 years -
Period: 3000 BCE to 300 BCE
Ancient Egyptions
Earliest people known to keep accurate health records. Called on the gods to heal them when disease occurred. Physicians were priests who studied medicine and surgery in temple medical schools. Imhotep (2635–2595? bc) may have been the first physician. Believed the body was a system of channels for air, tears, blood, urine, sperm, and feces. If channels became “clogged,” bloodletting or leeches were used to “open” them. Used magic and medicinal plants to treat disease. Life span was 20-30 years -
Period: 1700 BCE to 220
Ancient Chinese
Religious prohibitions against dissection caused inadequate knowledge of body structure. Monitored the pulse to determine the condition of the body. Believed in the need to treat the whole body by curing the spirit and nourishing the body. Recorded a pharmacopoeia (an official drug directory) of medications based mainly on the use of herbs. Used acupuncture to relieve pain & congestion, Moxibustion to treat disease. Began the search for reasons for illness. Average life span was 20-30 years -
Period: 1200 BCE to 200 BCE
Ancient Greeks
Began modern medical science by observing the human body and effects of disease. Believed illness is a result of natural causes. Used therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment that are still used today. Stressed diet and cleanliness as ways to prevent disease. Average life span was 25 to 35 years -
Period: 753 BCE to 410
Ancient Romans
First to organize medical care by caring for injured soldiers. Early hospitals developed when physicians cared for ill people in their homes. Later hospitals were religious and charitable institutions housed in monasteries and convents. Began public health and sanitation systems. Believed the body is regulated by four fluids or humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. An imbalance in the humors resulted in illness. Average life span was 25 to 35 years -
300 BCE
Hippocrates
The “Father of Medicine,” was one of the most important physicians in ancient Greece. The records that he and other physicians created helped establish that disease is caused by natural causes, not by supernatural spirits and demons. The ancient Greeks were also among the first to stress that a good diet and cleanliness help to prevent disease.
