Medicine
Introduction
For thousands of years, scientists from all over the world have been making important discoveries that have shaped modern science. This chapter looks at some important discoveries in the field of medicine.
Where did it all begin?
Medicine is a branch of science that involves maintaining and restoring human health and wellbeing. Medicine is considered to be one of the oldest sciences in the world. Humans have been contracting diseases and sustaining injuries for tens of thousands of years. It is likely that some of the first medical practices were very simple, such as cleaning a wound with some nearby grasses or leaves. Over time, people discovered which leaves and grasses were most effective at cleaning and treating different types of wounds and injuries. We know about such practices today through ancient cave paintings. Over the centuries, humans have continued to learn about the human body and its functions.
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There are many ancient documents from various countries which mention different medical practices and beliefs. The Ancient Egyptians, for example, realised that blood, air and the heart were important in the function of the human body. It is likely that the Ancient Egyptians discovered such things through the processes of embalming dead bodies. It is also believed that the first surgery was performed in Ancient Egypt. Some ancient medical records from India describe detailed medical examinations, diagnoses, treatment of diseases and even cosmetic surgery.
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The medical practitioners of Ancient Greece used observation and reasoning when trying to identify a disease or illness. One of Ancient Greece's most famous doctors was called Hippocrates. Hippocrates is often considered to be a founder of modern medicine, even though he was born in 460 BC. He is believed to have been the first person to use what is now called ‘clinical observation'. Clinical observation involves observing a patient and recording the observations in order to correctly diagnose and treat the patient. Even today, newly qualified doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, which is a promise to treat all patients fairly and act in the best interests of the patients.
Another famous Ancient Greek physician was Galen. Galen is believed to have been the first doctor to perform eye surgery. He was also one of the first physicians to suggest that diet and hygiene were important contributors to human health. The Ancient Persian doctor Avicenna wrote about the human body and the treatment of diseases. Documents written by both Galen and Avicenna were used by doctors for over one thousand years.
Between the 12th and 14th centuries in Europe, there was a downturn in scientific and cultural study. Most people were occupied with the various wars which were being fought around Europe, as well as trying to avoid epidemics of disease which were spreading through Europe and killing thousands of people.
From the 14th to the 17th century in Europe, there was a revival of ancient cultural and scientific thinking as people began to look at the world differently. This revival was known as the Renaissance. During the Renaissance, Andreas Vesalius and Leonardo da Vinci began to dissect human corpses in order to create the first accurate anatomical drawings of the human body. These drawings were a significant contribution in helping physicians and scientists to better understand the organs and systems of the human body. During this time, the first hospitals and medical schools appeared in Florence, Italy. Important medical instruments such as obstetric forceps (Peter Chamberlen) and the mercury thermometer (Gabriel Fahrenheit) were also invented during this period.
In the 18th century, Dominique-Jean Larrey designed the first ambulance. Larrey was also the doctor to Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France from 1804 to 1825.
One of the most important discoveries in the field of medicine was vaccination. A vaccine is a substance which is injected into the human body to increase the body's immunity to disease. Vaccination was first introduced by Edward Jenner, an English doctor, in the late 18th century. Vaccination against disease has greatly reduced, or in some cases eliminated, the presence of many diseases around the world.
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During the 19th century, people began to develop antiseptics. Antiseptics are substances which either kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms which cause disease. Joseph Lister was one of the first people to develop antiseptics.
Yet another important medical tool used today is the x-ray, discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen. An x-ray is a type of radiation which can be used in small doses to take images of the inside of a person's body. These images can then help doctors to diagnose diseases.
One of the most famous medical discoveries is that of antibiotics by Scottish doctor Alexander Fleming in 1929. An antibiotic is a naturally-occurring chemical produced by a microorganism which can kill or damage other microorganisms that might be harmful to the human body.
Better antibiotics, medical instruments and techniques that were developed later in the 20th century improved the diagnoses and treatment of many different diseases. Many diseases that were very dangerous hundreds of years ago can now be treated relatively easily. The bubonic plague (also known as the Black Death), for example, killed approximately two thirds of the population of Europe in the Middle Ages. Today, bubonic plague is very rare and can be treated with antibiotics.
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Many diseases, however, still cannot be cured. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and cancer are two diseases which continue to test medical science. Australian scientists and doctors are part of an international medical community working to find cures for such diseases.
