History of Medicine

History of Medicine Introduction:

It is not easy to trace history of medicine because Evolution of medicine is evolution of human being, medicine is accumulation of human experiences and the wide geographical distribution of different civilizations

Primitive Medicine (before 5000 BC) Primitive man secured the main requirements for survival of his family (Air, Water, Food, Shelter, Care and security). He believed that the cause of disease is outside the body (evil spirits...). This is what is called Supernatural Theory. He used herbs linked to rituals and scarifies. They used stones for circumcision, amputations and trephining skulls for driving out the evil spirit) Egyptian (Pharaohs) Medicine Medicine was mixed with religion. Pharaohs described a lot of diseases such as diabetes and Bilharzias They believed disease was due to toxins in intestine and used a lot of types for treatment; enema, bloodletting and drugs, cannabis for anesthesia. They treat eye sores and glaucoma. They developed artificial limbs. Imhotep is a doctor and a God according to their believes Pharaohs were the first to teach about personal hygiene, as they showered more than twice daily. They built public health baths and underground drains. They wrote about occupational diseases (Silicosis, Low-back Pain) Maya Medicine - Central America 2000 BC to 250 AD Maya mixed sickness with the soul. Curing with ritual, emetics herbs, mind-altering substances (Coca) as pain killer, bloodletting and fasting. Indian Medicine (3500BC to 1500 BC) It is a combined religion, alternative and traditional medicine. They believe in the God of Ayur-veda who gives his secrets to doctors. Ancient Indians believe disease is caused by bad spirits. They used snake poisons to kill the spirits. Muslim doctors brought opium and henbane (another anesthetic) to their practice of medicine. Chinese Medicine 2700 BC Chinese believed in immunity (health and disease) (yang - yin). Treatment was mainly hygiene, dietetics, hydro-therapy, drugs, acupuncture and cannabis. Chinese tried vaccination against smallpox 200 BC. Prevention is predominant in the health culture of Chinese medicine. They believe that “The great doctor is one who treats not someone who is already ill but someone not yet ill”.

Mesopotamian medicine (Iraq - 5000 BC):

Liver was considered the place of life. They used different herbs, but magic is dominant and for this reason Hammurabi, set drastic laws for magicians. Greek Medicine 500 BC – 100 AD: Aesculapius is a hero and god of medicine in ancient Greek. His rod and snake is the symbol of Medicine. Greeks believed that disease is a disturbance of balance. They concentrated on diet, fresh air and sunlight. They believed that diseases are caused by a miasma "bad air" The greatest physician was Hippocrates (460-370 BC) - “the father of Medicine”. The Hippocratic Oath has been the keystone of medical ethics. Roman Medicine (23 BC – 476 AD): The Roman adopted Greek health values. They built Sewage systems, aqueducts, public baths, water supply and markets. Roman collected taxes to support public health services such as Public baths, Water and sewage systems and Restaurant inspection. The Roman Described the Miasma Theory. Galen was the Romanian great physician (his medical books were used for more than 500 years. Galen's principal interest was in human anatomy and physiology Early Medieval Medicine during the Middle Ages - 500 – 1100 AD Generally this period is called The Dark Ages. At early Medieval Medicine shifts away from Greek and Roman values to spiritual values influence by the Church. Treatment was mainly spiritual (miraculous). For this reason epidemics spread in Europe (Plaque, Smallpox, Cholera, Tuberculosis ...). The plaque killed 25% of Europe population. Hospitals in the Middle Ages were mainly for providing hospitality, which is where the name comes from. They were often called a Maison Dieu (God’s House) Late Medieval Medicine

The Late Middle Ages or Late Medieval Period was the period of European history lasting from AD 1250 to 1500.This period is characterized by training the doctors. The first medical school in Europe was set up in AD (Anno Domini) 900 and soon universities were set up across the continent. Only men were allowed to attend university and they became known as physicians (physic means the art of healing) Arab/Muslim Medicine Arab/Muslim Medicine appeared during the dark ages. It was described as a TORCH in the dark. Islam has encouraged the use of science and biomedicine for the alleviation of suffering. Islam refused the spiritual theory of disease causation (The disease afflicts the believer and the unbeliever). The contributions of Arab/Muslim Physicians are great in advancing medicine in different areas. Vision According the Ancient Greeks, vision was thought to a visual spirit emanating from the eyes to the object. The 11th century Iraqi scientist Ibn al-Haytham developed a radically new concept of human vision. Ibn al-Haytham explained that the eye was an optical instrument. The description on the anatomy of the eye leads him to explain the refraction of light rays

The Physiology of the Stomach: Ahmad ibn Abi al-Ash’ath, described the physiology of the stomach. He observed the physiology of the stomach in a live lion in 959. This description preceded William Beaumont by almost 900 years. Anatomy of the Jaw According to Galen the lower jaw consists of two parts. Al-Baghdadi examined the skeletons and established that the mandible consists of one piece “the bone of the lower jaw is all one, with no joint nor suture” Pulmonary circulation Ibn al-Nafis - The work of Ibn al-Nafis regarding the right sided (pulmonary) circulation pre-dates the later work (1628) of William Harvey Arab/Muslim Drugs Medical contributions made by Medieval Islam included the use of hundreds of plants as a type of remedy or medicine. The birth of pharmacy as an independent science Al-Biruni states that "pharmacy became independent from medicine“. Arab/Muslim Surgery The Arab/Muslim doctors expanded the medical practice to what is currently known as surgery. They practices Bloodletting, Cauterization, Use of opium and cannabis for anesthesia and they use of antiseptics (alcohol, water, or vinegar water before surgery). Arab/ Muslim Hospitals They served all people regardless of their race, religion, citizenship, or gender. Men and women were admitted to separate but equally equipped wards. The separate wards were further divided into mental disease, contagious disease, non-contagious disease, surgery, medicine, and eye Each hospital contained a lecture hall, kitchen, pharmacy, library, mosque and occasionally a chapel for Christian patients. The hospital served as a medical school to educate and train students. Islamic hospitals were the first to keep written records of patients Al Razi introduced licensing exams were required and only qualified physicians were allowed to practice medicine. Famous Arab/Muslim Doctors 1\. Abu-Ali al-Husayn ibn Abdalah ibn-Sina - his famous work al-Canon fi al Tibb – 2\. Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (the father of Islamic medicine) – He wrote Kitab-al Hawi fi al-tib 3\. Ali ibn al-'Abbas al-Majusi was famous for the Kitab al-Maliki or Complete Book of the Medical Art Scientific Medicine Scientific medicine started after the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Famous Doctors during the Scientific Medicine 1700 - 1900 1\. Richard Mead: wrote on the prevention and treatment of plague, smallpox, measles, and scurvy; his Mechanical Account of Poisons (1702) includes original observations on the action of snake venom. 2\. Edward Jenner 1796 – discovered Smallpox vaccine 3\. Louis Pasteur (1822) demonstrated the presence of bacteria in the air 4\. Dr. John Snow (1813-1858) is considered one of the founders of modern epidemiology because of his work in tracing the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, London 1854. He reduced the disease by removing the handle of a water pump the source of Cholera 5\. Ross demonstrated that malaria was transmitted by the Anopheles (1897). Scientific and 1700 - 1900 6\. Edwin Chadwick's reported about the Public Health Conditions. His report led to the first Public Health Act 1848. The act was to improve the sanitary condition of towns: the supply of water; sewerage; drainage; cleaning; paving, and environmental health) 7\. Walter Reed demonstrated that yellow fever was transmitted by the Aedes mosquito - 1902 8\. Paul Hermann Müller 1925 - DDT 9\. Robert Koch discovered the bacteria of tuberculosis (1905) 10\. Discovery (Penicillin) – Alexander Fleming 1928 11\. Talcott Parsons – 1950 - founder of medical sociology 12\. James Watson - 1953 discovered the structure of DNA