History of Medicine-Rachel Rapley

By rachel_rapley
  • Primitive times
    4000 BCE

    Primitive times

    Illness caused by evil spirits or a punishment from the gods.
    Tribal witch doctors treated illnesses.
    Plants or herbs were used as medicine.
    Trepanation-removing a piece of the skull to let evil spirits out.
  • Ancient Egyptians
    3000 BCE

    Ancient Egyptians

    Priests were the doctors.
    First people to record health records.
    Bloodletting was a big practice/medical treatment. It was seen as a way to bring back the body's balance.
  • Ancient Chinese
    1700 BCE

    Ancient Chinese

    Believed in treating the whole body by curing the spirit and nourishing the body.
    Used acupuncture as a therapy.
    Began to look for a medical reason for illness.
  • Ancient Greeks
    1200 BCE

    Ancient Greeks

    First to observe the human body and the effects of disease.
    Believed illness was a result of natural causes
    Stressed diet, hygiene, and exercise to stay healthy.
  • Ancient Romans
    753 BCE

    Ancient Romans

    First to organize medical care by providing for their injured soldiers.
    First public health systems (sewers & aqueducts).
    Established the belief that the body was regulated by 4 humors.
  • Dark ages
    400

    Dark ages

    Emphasis on saving the soul.
    The study of medicine was prohibited.
    Prayer was used to kill illness
    Monks and priests provided care for the sick.
  • Ancient Japenese
    608

    Ancient Japenese

    Sickness was a punishment from the gods.
    Exorcisms were a common way to combat sickness.
    Kampo medicines-herbal medicines that have been used in Japan for more than 1500 years.
  • Middle ages
    800

    Middle ages

    Arabs began requiring physicians to pass exams and obtain licenses.
    Bubonic plague kills 75% of Europe.
    Medical universities were established.
  • Renaissance
    1350

    Renaissance

    Rebirth of science and medicine.
    Began dissecting bodies to better learn anatomy.
    The printing press was invented, leading to more information sharing.
    First anatomy book published.
  • 16th & 17th centuries
    1500

    16th & 17th centuries

    Knowledge regarding the human body increased greatly.
    Ligatures were used to stop bleeding.
    The microscope was invented
    Early pharmacists made, prescribed, and sold medications.
  • 18th century

    18th century

    The first mercury thermometer is created.
    Bifocals are invented.
    Smallpox vaccine was discovered.
  • 19th century

    19th century

    X-ray machine developed.
    First open-heart surgery in 1893.
    The stethoscope was invented.
    Nurses began receiving formal training.
  • 20th century

    20th century

    Structure of DNA discovered.
    ABO blood type discovered.
    First bone marrow transplant.
    Organ transplants-kidney, liver, heart, artificial heart.
    New machines like kidney dialysis machines were developed.
  • 20th-21st century

    20th-21st century

    Targeted cancer therapies.
    Smoke-free laws.
    Advances in HIV medication.
    Face transplants.
    Vaccines for HPV, malaria, and ebola.