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Illnesses and diseases were said to be caused by evil spirits and punishments from the Gods. These illnesses were treated with ceremonies and herbs/plants used as medicine. Trepanation was commonly used but was not often successful; the average life span was about 20 years. -
A vast majority of physicians were priests. Ancient Egyptians were the first people to record health records. A lot of the time bloodletting and leaches were commonly used as a medical treatment. The average life span was 20-30 years -
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; they also implemented the use of acupuncture in terms of therapy. Along with that they started to search for medical reasons for illnesses. The average life span was 20-30 years. -
Hippocrates is widely known as the father of medicine and he was the first to observe the human body and the effects of disease which soon led to medical sciences. They believed that illness is a result of natural causes. Used therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment to fight diseases. Diet played a huge role along with hygiene and exercise. Average life span was 25-35 years -
First people to organize medical care for their soldiers; later their hospitals were religious charitable institutions in monasteries and convents. First public and sanitation systems by building sewers and aqueducts. The established belief that the body was regulated by four body humors; blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. The average life span was 25-35 years. -
Emphasis on saving the soul and studying medicine was prohibited. Prayer and divine intervention were used to treat illness and disease. Monks and priests provide custodial care for sick people. Medications were mainly herbal mixtures. They blamed disease on circumstance but no understanding. The average life span was 20-30 years. -
Arabs began requiring physicians to pass examinations and obtain licenses before operating. The Bubonic plague killed 75% of the population in Europe and Asia; along with smallpox, diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, the plaque, and malaria. In 1220-1255 Medical Universities were established. The average life span was 20-35 years. -
Body Dissections led to increased understanding of anatomy and physiology. In 1440 the invention of the printing press allowed knowledge to be shared. In 1543 the first anatomy book was published by Andreas Vesalius. The cause of disease was still a mystery; average life span was 30-40 years. -
In the 1500's, Ambroise Pare was a French surgeon who is said to be the father of modern surgery because he established the use of ligatures to stop bleeding. In the 1600's, Apothecaries, an early pharmacist, made, prescribed and sold medications. In 1670 was the invention of the microscope this allowed physicians to see disease causing organisms which was a huge advancement. Average Life span was 35-45 years. -
In 1714 Gabriel Fahrenheit created the first mercury thermometer. In 1760 Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals; in 1778 John Hunter established scientific surgical proceeds and introduced tube feeding. In 1778 the first smallpox vaccine was discovered. The average life span was 40-50 years. -
ABO blood groups were discovered in 1901 and they found how white blood cells fight disease. In 1922 Insulin was discovered and used to treat diabetes and in 1928 Antibiotics were developed to fight infections. New machines were developed; 1943-Kidney Dialysis Machine, 1953-Heart Lung Machine. 1953 the structure of DNA was discovered and research in gene therapy began. -
1956 was the first bone marrow transplant which initiated stem cell research. 1978 test tube babies followed by the first organ transplants; 1960 kidney, 1963 liver, 1967 heart, 1982 artificial heart. -
There were major advancements due to discoveries of microorganisms, anesthesia, and vaccinations. In 1895 the first X-Ray machine was developed along with the first open-heart surgery in 1893. In 1816 they invented the stethoscope and in 1860 they began formally training nurses. Average life span was 40-60 years. -
1921 - Diptheria
1925 - Tuberculosis
1927 - Pertussis
1937- Typhus
1945 - Influenza
1962- Oral Polio
1963 - Measles
1967 - Mumps
1970 - Rubella
1974 - Chicken Pox
1977 - Streptococcus Pneumonia
1978 - Meningitis
1981 - Hepatitis B
1992 - Hepatitis A
1998 - Lyme Disease
1998 - Rotavirus -
1910 - Laparoscopic Surgery; minimal invasive surgery
1970's - Targeted Cancer Therapies; Interfere with the spread of cancer by blocking cells involved in tumor growth; identify and kill the cancer cells
1990 - Smoke Free Laws; Disease in 2nd hand smoke
1996 - Advances in HIV Medication; Turned a "death sentence disease" into a manageable chronic disease - Normal life span
1999 - Rapid Advances in Stem Cell Research; Re-Create lost/damaged tissue -
2001 - The first totally implantable artificial heart was placed in a patient in Louisville,Ky.
2003 - Human Genome Project Completed; mapped out human diseases in an effort to get a handle on genetic and autoimmune diseases.
2005 - Face Transplants
Vaccines:
2006 - HPV
2015 - Malaria
2015 - Ebola