Research Topics: History Of Medicine

History of Medicine

A philosophic physician once said, “In order to study and practice medicine in a proper manner, it is necessary to be impressed with its importance; and to be so impressed, we must believe in it” (as cited in Renouard, 1856, p. iii). Any practitioner must have an efficacy of his art so that he can devote himself to the study and practice of it. However, there exist many arguments as how can practitioners apply and put his confidence on medicine if they themselves doubt the origin of medicine. The question is: how does medicine originated? Many argued that medicine sprung from the natural wants of man. Others claimed that medicine is an evidence of the degeneration of human. In order for us to trace the origin of medicine is it crucial that we look at history in general for it can – alone – resolve the question in a decisive manner. For many historians, medicine presents itself as a profession, as an art and as a science. Medicine also varies in description if we are to account time as ancient, medieval or modern; geography as Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Chinese, Hebrew, Islamic or European; and specialization as microbiology, anatomy, cardiology, surgery, neurology and many others (Renouard, 1856, passim).  Medicine is originally called the art of healing. Notably, the history of medicine had been always associated with the need to cure disease or diseases that emerged in specific periods. During ancient times, human discovered, by trial and error, which plants may be as good as foods, which are poisonous and which had medicinal value. Tribal communities have relied on herbal remedies to deal with everyday discomforts. Other cultures made medicines from parts of animals and minerals (Lewis, 2000). The ancient practice of healing is to treat diseases in physical manner along with spiritual cure (Schools History) as well. Sometimes prayers and oil anointment in the name of the Lord were the extensions of treatments. This has dominated the ancient period. Illness had been attributed to different elemental as witchcraft, astrology and gods (Lewis, 2000). Perhaps, the way people counter such illnesses is through the same way the illness was conceived; thus, herbalism and miraculous healing.  Given that the medical system from AD 1000 to 1500 lacked in experts training, most treatments happened at home. Medicine was dominated by Galen’s idea. His principles were primarily based on concepts that human functioning was consists of blended elements of fire, water, air and earth. Combating diseases are basically done through magic symbols, sacred amulets and plant extractions. Drugs mostly came from roots, leaves, seeds and barks of plants and wafers are the preferred dose forms. No specified amount of dosage was recorded but only instructions such as ‘a handful’, ‘a bundle’ or ‘a cup’. Nonetheless, it was also during this time that the medical practitioners recognize the linkage between hygiene and health (Lewis, 2000). The emergence of Renaissance gave way for the development of science as a craft. Though the power of superstition remains, physicians and surgeons became known. Barber-surgeons had their own formulas for curing abdominal injuries, anal fistulae and bladder stones. The two most common methods used were cauterizing (burning) and bloodletting. During the industrial revolution, medicine changes in many forms, in many times, regressing. There had been lack in care and the ability to maintain public health facilities. As the church taught God-sent illnesses and that repentance eradicates evil, many people believed that pilgrimage could cure them (Schools History). Apart from this, opioids were sold without restrictions and labels on bottles gave no indication of addictive ingredients (Lewis, 2000). Despite medical disparities, there were also examples of good practices. Most trained doctors that use Hippocrates’ teachings developed diagnosis through urine sampling (Schools History). In the 19th century, medicine was revolutionized. Advancements in chemistry and the subsequent improvement on laboratory techniques and equipments made bacteriology possible. Vaccines and antiseptics were developed. It reflects the idea on how people recognize that there are several sources of diseases aside from insanitation and malnutrition. It was also during this time that more women participated in the male-dominated medical arena (Broomhall, 2004, p. 11).           Bibliography   Ancient Egypt: Ancient Egyptian Medicine. Schools History. Retrieved on 30 January 2008 from http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ancientegypt.htm   Broomhall, S. (2004). Women’s Medical Work in early Modern France. Manchester University Press. Lewis, C. (2000, March). Medical Milestone of the Last Millennium. FDA Consumer, 43(2), 8.   Medicine in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Schools History. Retrieved on 30 January 2008 from http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/medievalmedicine.htm           Renouard, P. V. (1856). History of Medicine: From its Origin to the Nineteenth Century, with an Appendix, Containing A Philosophical and Historical review of Medicine to the Present Time. Oxford University Press. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

History of Medicine

A philosophic physician once said, “In order to study and practice medicine in a proper manner, it is necessary to be impress...

History of medicine

History of medicine Every human society has medical beliefs that provide explanations for birth, death, and disease. Throughout history, illness has been attributed to witchcraft, demons, adverse astral influence, or the will of the gods. These ideas still retain some power, with faith healing and shrines still used in some places, although the rise of scientific medicine over the past millennium has altered or replaced mysticism in most cases. Although there is no record to establish when plants were first used for medicinal purposes (herbalism), the use of plants as healing agents is an ancient practice. Over time through emulation of the behavior of fauna a medicinal knowledge base developed and was passed between generations. As tribal culture specialized specific castes, Shamans and apothecaries performed the ‘niche occupation’ of healing. Ancient Egypt developed a large, varied and fruitful medical tradition. Herodotus described the Egyptians as “the healthiest of all men, next to the Libyans” [1] due to the dry climate and the notable public health system that they possessed. According to him, “the practice of medicine is so specialized among them that each physician is a healer of one disease and no more.” Although Egyptian medicine, to good extent, dealt with the supernatural [2] it eventually developed practical use in the fields of anatomy, public health, and clinical diagnostics. Medical information in the Edwin Smith Papyrus [3] may date to time as early as 3000 BC[4] as earliest known surgery in Egypt was performed in Egypt around 2750 BC. Imhotep in the 3rd dynasty is sometimes credited with being the founder of ancient Egyptian medicine and with being the original author of the Edwin Smith Papyrus, detailing cures, ailments and anatomical observations. The Edwin Smith Papyrus is regarded as a copy of several earlier works and was written circa 1600 BC. It is an ancient textbook on surgery almost completely devoid of magical thinking and describes in exquisite detail the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of numerous ailments [5]       Conversely, medical institutions, referred to as Houses of Life are known to have been established in ancient Egypt as early as the 1st Dynasty [6] and By the time of the 19th Dynasty some workers enjoyed such benefits as medical insurance, pensions and sick leave[7]. In addition, China also developed a large body of traditional medicine. Much of the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine derived from empirical observations of disease and illness by Taoist physicians and reflects the classical Chinese belief that individual human experiences express causative principles effective in the environment at all scales. There can be causative principles, whether material, essential, or mystical, correlate as the expression of the natural order of the universe. Medicine was revolutionized in the 19th century and beyond by advances in chemistry and laboratory techniques and equipment, old ideas of infectious disease epidemiology were replaced with bacteriology and virology. The 20th century witnessed shift from a master-apprentice paradigm of teaching of clinical medicine to a more “democratic” system of medical schools. With the advent of the evidence-based medicine and great advances of information technology the process of change is likely to evolve further, with greater development of international projects respectively. [1] Herodotus. “Chapter 77, Book II” (in English translation). The Histories.  [2] Nunn, John F. (2002). Ancient Egyptian Medicine. University of Oklahoma Press.  [3] J. H. Breasted, The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, University of Chicago Press, 1930 [4] Medicine in Ancient Egypt 1 [5] Edwin Smith papyrus – Britannica Online Encyclopedia [6] P. W. Bryan, The Papyrus Ebers, Geoffrey Bles: London, 1930 [7] Griffith, F. Ll. The Petrie Papyri: Hieratic Papyri from Kahun and Gurob Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

History of medicine

History of medicine Every human society has medical beliefs that provide explanations for birth , death , and disease . Throughout histor...