1. History of Health Care

2. History of Health Care TABLE OF CONTENTS Lessons 1. Ancient Times Go
2. Middle Ages and Renaissance Go
3. Industrial Revolution and Modern Era Go
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Lesson 1 – Primitive Times
4000 to 3000 BC
People believed that illness was caused by supernatural beings.
Several herbs and plants were used as medicine.
Primitive Times
The years between 4000 BC and 3000 BC are considered the primitive era. During this time, people believed that illness was caused by supernatural beings. It was believed that if people were disobedient, the gods would inflict their bodies with sickness or disease. Priests and medicine men treated illness through religious ceremonies, where evil spirits were thought to be driven out of the body.
Several herbs and plants were used as medicine during primitive times. One medicine called morphine was developed during this era and is still used today. Morphine is often given to patients after surgery to treat pain.

4. Lesson 1 – Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians
Egyptians – 3000 BC
Magic and religion
Conservative physicians
Imhotep
Babylonians – BC
Similar to Egyptians
Physicians are paid for services
Both cultures had poor sanitation and hygiene.
Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians
The ancient Egyptians rose to the forefront of medicine around 3000 BC. Although their practices were based in magic and religion, the Egyptians designed structured procedures and kept accurate health records.
The Egyptians opposed medical research and experimentation. A physician was executed if the patient died while the physician performed a new procedure. Conservative physicians were praised during this time. A man named Imhotep became well-known for his medical care of the Egyptian royal family. Imhotep is believed to be the first physician.
By 2000 BC, the Babylonians set up a medical structure that was similar to that of the Egyptians. They created rules that required fees to be paid to physicians for medical services. Like the Egyptians, Babylonian physicians were punished severely if a patient died or lost eyesight during treatments.
Both the Egyptians and the Babylonians had poor sanitation methods and little regard for personal hygiene. Infection and disease spread quickly among the people. During this time, the average lifespan was only 30 years.

5. Lesson 1 – Ancient Hindus and Chinese
Hindus – 1500 BC
Hospitals and Nurses
Many types of surgeries
Knowledge of drugs
Sewers
Chinese – 3000 BC
Documented over medical herbs
Acupuncture
Ancient Hindus and Chinese
By 1500 BC, the Hindus in India had developed an advanced medical organization. The Hindus set up hospitals with some of the best nurses in the world. Hindu doctors were trained in many types of surgery, including cataracts and plastic surgery. They also increased knowledge of drugs, in particular those used for anesthesia.
In addition, the Hindus created walled sewer drains and an underground water pipe system. These advancements helped to maintain a sanitary environment and to slow the spread of disease.
The ancient Chinese also developed useful medical practices. The Chinese documented over 1000 medical herbs and established the science of acupuncture. Acupuncture is recognized today as a valid form of alternative treatment.

6. Lesson 1 – Ancient Greeks
2000 to 400 BC
Hippocrates
Father of Medicine
Observation and Note- taking
Hippocratic Oath
Aristotle
Anatomy
Ancient Greeks
When the Greeks began to conquer the ancient world, they adopted the medical practices of the countries they now controlled. But as the Greek civilization advanced, they began to question the accepted medical beliefs.
In the late 400’s BC, Hippocrates began his study of medicine in Greece. He made one of the greatest contributions to medical history by stressing the importance of observation and note-taking. Hippocrates taught that disease was a result of natural causes, not supernatural punishment. The only way to cure disease is to observe the sick. Hippocrates also encouraged cleanliness and proper diet to prevent illness. Hippocrates is known as the Father of Medicine. To this day, physicians are required to abide by the Hippocratic Oath, which is a code of behavior written by Hippocrates thousands of years ago.
Aristotle was another Greek contributor to the growing medical field. Aristotle developed the field of anatomy by dissecting animals. He was the first to make a connection between medicine, biology, and the body.

7. Lesson 1 – Ancient Romans
200 BC to 500 AD
Claudius Galen
Ignored the practice of patient observation
Four body fluids
Many flawed theories
Established superior drainage systems and set up public hospitals
Ancient Romans
The Greeks made many advancements in medicine. But in 146 BC, Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire. The Romans did not accept these medical practices. The teachings of Hippocrates were forgotten, and the medical field returned its focus to supernatural causes and cures.
In the mid 100’s AD, a Greek physician named Claudius Galen went to Rome and quickly became famous for curing the emperor’s stomach ache. Galen re-introduced the ideas of Hippocrates to the Romans. However, he ignored the practice of careful observation and note-taking. Instead, he taught that the body was composed of four fluids. If the fluids became unbalanced, sickness would occur. Galen also developed theories of human anatomy by dissecting pigs. Many of Galen’s theories were flawed, and true medical progress was held back for centuries.
As a result of Galen’s theories, the Romans contributed very little to medical advancement. However, the Romans did recognize that disease was often caused by filth and overcrowding. They installed superior drainage and sanitation systems and also set up public hospitals.

8. Lesson 1 – Dark Ages 542 AD – First episode of the bubonic plague.
Rome is overthrown by barbarians, and the study of medicine is forbidden.
People return to religion, magic, and folklore to cure disease.
Dark Ages
In 542 AD, the Roman Empire succumbed to the first major pandemic in history. The entire known world, stretching from China to Africa to Europe, developed outbreaks of malaria and smallpox. This was the first episode of the bubonic plague.
Because of the widespread disease, Rome was overthrown by barbarians. This period is known as the Dark Ages. Once again, the study of medicine was forbidden. People turned to religion, magic, and folklore to cure disease.

9. Lesson 1 – The End of an Era
Many medical discoveries were made during the ancient time period. However, the era ended just as it began.
The majority of people who lived in the ancient world believed that sickness was directly linked to a supernatural being.
They believed that sickness could only be cured through obedience, prayer, and religious rites.
The End of an Era
Many medical discoveries were made during the ancient time period. However, the era ended just as it began. The majority of people who lived in the ancient world believed that sickness was directly linked to a supernatural being. They believed that sickness could only be cured through obedience, prayer, and religious rites.

10. Lesson 2 – Middle Ages 800 to 1300 AD Moslem Arab Empire
Pharmacology
Rhazes
First medical school
Common people are treated by barber surgeons.
Middle Ages
When the Middle Ages began around 800 AD, several cultures started researching medicine again. Progress was slow. But by 1000 AD, the Moslem Arab Empire created a medical revival. The Arab’s vast knowledge of chemistry led to advancements in pharmacology, the study of medicines and their uses. They also set up a system of hospitals with specialized wards for certain illnesses.
During this time, the physician Rhazes became known as the Arab Hippocrates. Through careful observation of the human body, Rhazes discovered that blood was the cause of many infectious diseases. Additionally, he developed the first form of stitches by using animal-gut sutures to sew wounds.
Another major medical advancement in the Middle Ages was the formation of the first true medical school. The school was located in Salerno, Italy, and it was open to all nationalities. It taught both anatomy and surgery based on the studies of Hippocrates and Galen. Anatomy was limited, however, because students were forced to dissect animals. In most parts of the world, human dissection was illegal.
In the Middle Ages, medical doctors treated only the wealthy. As a result, common people received medical treatment from barbers. The barbers were not trained in medical procedures, but they often performed surgeries, such as amputations and cataracts. The methods were unsanitary, and many patients developed infections or died.

11. Lesson 2 – Black Death 1347 to 1352 AD
Second episode of the bubonic plague
Over one-third of Europe’s population died.
Many Europeans challenge the belief that religion is the cure for disease.
Black Death
The bubonic plague struck the world for a second time in the 1300’s. Between 1347 and 1352, over one-third of Europe’s population died. This wave of the plague is called the Black Death. Because of the lack of medical progress in Europe, the cause of the Black Death was unknown for many years. It was later determined that the fatal disease was caused by a bacteria from fleas on infected rats.
The Black Death was devastating for Europe. However, fear of the plague caused many Europeans to challenge the belief that religion was the cure for disease.

12. Lesson 2 – The Renaissance
1350 to 1700 AD
Many Europeans reject their commitment to religion.
Andreas Vesalius published the first human anatomy book.
The microscope is invented.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance, which began around 1350, was a time of enlightenment. Europeans began to reject their commitment to religion, and they formed new ideas about the arts and sciences.
Several medical researchers stole corpses and dissected them. One anatomist named Andreas Vesalius compared the human corpse to the human anatomy described in Claudius Galen’s teachings. Vesalius quickly realized that Galen’s theories were based on animal corpses, not human corpses. In the mid 1500’s, Vesalius published the first human anatomy book which proved Galen’s many errors.
Another major breakthrough during the Renaissance was the invention of the microscope. Anton van Leeuwenhoek created a single lens microscope in the mid 1600’s. This invention led him to the discovery of red blood cells. A few years later, Robert Hooke developed a stronger, compound lens microscope. Hooke’s microscope proved that all living things are made of cells.

13. Lesson 2 – Result of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Reason and intellect had replaced religion and superstition in the medical field.
The cause of disease was still a mystery.
Typical life span was about 40 years.
Result of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
Important medical advances were made during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. However, the cause of disease was still a mystery. Many people developed infections and died at young ages. The typical lifespan was only about 40 years.
Despite the lack of understanding, the general attitude resulting from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance was one of intellect and reason. Reason had replaced religion and superstition in the medical field.

14. Lesson 3 – The Industrial Revolution
1700 and 1800’s
Advances in chemistry and physics
Louis Pasteur develops pasteurization.
Joseph Lister develops methods of medical asepsis.
The Industrial Revolution
The “Age of Reason” that began in the Renaissance period had a great effect on the following centuries. Human curiosity and experimentation led to the Industrial Revolution in the 1700’s and 1800’s. Huge advances were made in the fields of chemistry and physics, which provided many new medical tools and methods.
One of the greatest discoveries during the Industrial Revolution was made by Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister. Pasteur was a chemist who worked in a winery. He wanted to determine what caused the wines to become sour. Using a microscope, he discovered that microorganisms were to blame. He then developed a system of destroying these dangerous microorganisms through heating and sealing. This procedure became known as pasteurization. It is still used today, specifically on milk and dairy products.
Joseph Lister was a surgeon in England in the 1800’s. He became frustrated by the many infections his patients acquired after surgery. Using the research provided by Pasteur, Lister discovered that microorganisms were the cause of infection in people. Lister continued his study and developed methods of medical asepsis, which are cleaning procedures that kill microorganisms and help to eliminate infection.

15. Lesson 3 – Structure and Function
John Hunter inserts a feeding tube into a patient.
Edward Jenner gives the first vaccination.
William Beaumont fully describes the digestive system.
Mid 1800’s - Anesthetics are used for surgeries.
Early 1900’s - Elie Metchnikoff explains the function of white blood cells.
Structure and Function
By the end of the Industrial Revolution, connections between the structure and function in an organism were finally known. This medical breakthrough led to many more discoveries.
John Hunter inserted a feeding tube into a patient’s stomach in 1778.
Edward Jenner administered the first vaccination in 1796.
William Beaumont fully described the digestive system in 1822.
Anesthetics, such as ether and chloroform, were used to “put patients to sleep” during surgeries in the mid 1800’s.
Elie Metchnikoff explained how white blood cells protect humans from diseases in the early 1900’s.
Almost every discovery during this time led to another one. The Industrial Revolution paved the way for modern medical practices.

16. Lesson 3 – The Modern Era 1900 to Present
1932 – Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
Early 1900’s – Wilhelm von Roentgen developed the X-ray machine.
The Modern Era
The modern medical era began in the early 1900’s. The cause of infections and diseases was no longer a mystery. Scientists quickly developed treatments for many illnesses.
A major milestone was reached in 1932 when Sir Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin. Penicillin is an antibiotic that is now used across the world to treat diseases caused by bacteria. Throughout the modern era, many other antibiotics and medicines have been developed. These medicines destroy disease-causing microorganisms. In turn, they have helped to create longer, healthier lives in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Wilhelm von Roentgen also contributed to medical progress by creating a tool that changed medical procedures forever. In the early 1900’s, he developed the X-ray machine. For the first time, physicians were able to diagnose illnesses and fractures without using invasive surgeries.

17. Lesson 3 – Technological Advancements
Francis Crick and James Watson discover DNA.
Organ transplants become successful.
Infertile couples have children through in vitro fertilization.
Childhood vaccinations eliminate many viral diseases.
Technological Advancements
The 20th century was filled with technological advances. The new technology produced rapid growth in the medical world.
Francis Crick and James Watson identified the structure and function of DNA.
Organs, such as the kidneys and heart, were transplanted successfully from one body into another.
In vitro fertilization allowed infertile couples to have children.
Childhood vaccinations caused many viral diseases to be completely eliminated.

18. Lesson 3 – Health Insurance
Health insurance plans were developed in the 1920’s.
Medicare and Medicaid.
Hospitals were organized into specialized units.
Health Insurance
As medical treatments and procedures became more advanced, health care delivery became more structured and organized. Health insurance plans were developed in the 1920’s to help cover the cost of health care. The United States government developed Medicare and Medicaid to help elderly people and low-income families pay for health care. Hospitals were renovated and organized into specialized units. Examples of such units include emergency rooms, intensive care units, and pediatric units. Private clinics were also opened to help care for certain illnesses.

19. Lesson 3 – The Future The future of medicine is full of promise.
Medical innovations should be explored with caution.
Health care workers must stay open- minded and flexible.
The Future
The future of medicine is full of promise. Discoveries are made almost every day. Medical innovations should be explored with great caution. However, health care workers must stay open-minded and flexible to adapt to new ideas.