Key Discoveries Shaping the History of Medicine
The invention of medicine is undoubtedly considered the most precious and beneficial in human civilization. The history of medicine shows a remarkable journey of how we humans have approached different illnesses and diseases from the early periods till date. Some of the early medicine traditions come from Babylon, China, Egypt, and India. Though, there isn’t much record of when and how plants were used as a healing agent. But, from ancient drawings discovered worldwide, it is believed that early humans used medicinal plants as healing agents.
Here, we will study the history of medicine, the History of doctors, and the first medicine to be invented.
Prehistoric Medicine
Early humans were unaware of the various diseases and their medications. Early humans used the trial and error method to discover the medicinal benefits of plants and herbs. They considered common cold and constipation as a part of human existence and treated it with various herbs. The unidentified diseases were believed to be supernatural or cast of spells. There’s a common belief that in the world, the first doctors were sorcerers and magicians.
Magic and religious prayers played an essential role in prehistoric medicine. In ancient Mesopotamia, the people were not able to distinguish between magic and medicine. And if a person suffering from illness came to a doctor, the doctors would prescribe medicinal treatment and magical words to be recited. In the ancient era, the Babylonians, along with Egyptians, implemented diagnosis, physical examinations, and treatments. Early Egyptians were considered the healthiest with a notable healthcare system.
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Traditional Medicine in India, China, and Japan
The Indian civilization was well developed in medicine with herbal treatments. The Atharvaveda, which belongs to the early iron age, throws light on the fact that early Indians used medications and ailments from herbs and other medicinal plants.
The period from 800 BCE till 1000 BCE is considered the golden age of medicine in India with the introduction of medical treaties by Chakra, a physician, and Sushruta, a surgeon of ancient India. The knowledge of anatomy in ancient India was minimal as the Hindus were not allowed to cut dead bodies. The Indian physicians used all five senses in the diagnosis of diseases. The Indians were known to have identified around 700-800 medicinal plants in ancient times. They were also known for using animal parts for remedies.
On the other hand, Chinese medicine was of great importance in history. The Chinese considered the human body to be made up of five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. As the Chinese’s religious beliefs forbade them from tearing the dead bodies, therefore their anatomy knowledge was based on assumptions. According to the ancient Chinese Anatomy, The body contained five organs: heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidney, and the blood vessels contained blood and air.
Japanese medicine, on the other hand, is considered interesting for its slow start and rapid modernization. Japanese medicine took a turn in 608 CE when few Japanese physicians were sent to China for study. The Chinese have a significant influence on the Japanese medical system.
The oldest Japanese medical work dates back to 983 CE, which Tamba Yasuyori wrote. In his works, he has discussed different kinds of diseases and their treatment. These diseases and treatments are classified according to body parts.
Speaking of ancient medicine, you must have thought of the world’s first doctor. The first doctor in the world was from the Egyptian civilization. According to the medical information given in the Edwin Smith Papyrus, which dates back to 3000 BC, Imhotep is credited with being the first doctor in the world.
Now you may even ask who discovered medicine or who invented medicine? The answer to this is Hippocrates. Yes, Hippocrates is credited with being the man who invented medicine. He was a Greek physician who wrote the Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of seventy medical works. He is also accredited with the invention of the Hippocratic Oath for physicians.
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Modern Medicine
The Renaissance brought about a significant change in the history of medicine. The period between the 16th and 18th centuries was remarkable for medicine. This period saw a rapid increase in experimental investigations and advanced anatomy.
Even the first medicine was discovered during this period. The first modern medicine was developed in 1804 by Friedrich Serturner, who was a german scientist. He invented morphine which served as a painkiller in the 18th century. Later in this period, quinine and paracetamol were also invented.
The practice of medicine took a rapid turn with physicians being more systematic in the diagnosis of diseases. The development and use of antiseptic and anaesthesia also increased in operations. Effective cures to many fatal diseases were discovered during this era. Improvement in public health was given utmost importance, and many hospitals were developed.
The mid 18th century and early 19th century was the period when medicine was heavily professionalized. With the advancement in medicine, new career options opened up for women as well. They were appointed as nurses and physicians.
FAQs on History of Medicine: Evolution and Milestones
1. What is the definition of medicine as a field of study?
Medicine is the science and practice dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of disease or injury. It also involves promoting and maintaining public health. The field has evolved from ancient healing arts based on tradition and belief to a rigorous, evidence-based science that incorporates biology, chemistry, and physics to understand and manage human health.
2. Who is widely regarded as the 'Father of Medicine' and why?
Hippocrates of Kos, an ancient Greek physician, is widely regarded as the 'Father of Medicine'. His major contribution was shifting the focus of medicine from superstition and divine intervention to a discipline based on clinical observation and logical reasoning. The Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of medical works attributed to him, laid the foundation for rational medicine and professional ethics, including the famous Hippocratic Oath.
3. What were the key contributions of ancient India to the history of medicine?
Ancient India made significant contributions, primarily through the system of Ayurveda. Key figures include Sushruta, often called the 'Father of Surgery', who detailed complex surgical procedures like rhinoplasty in his text, the Sushruta Samhita. Another key figure was Charaka, whose work, the Charaka Samhita, is a foundational text on internal medicine, diagnosis, and pharmacology. These systems introduced holistic approaches to health, focusing on the balance of bodily systems.
4. What are some of the most important milestones in the timeline of medical history?
The history of medicine is marked by several transformative milestones. Some of the most critical include:
- Ancient Medicine: Early systematic approaches developed in Ancient Greece (Hippocrates) and India (Ayurveda).
- Germ Theory: The work of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch in the 19th century proved that microorganisms cause many diseases, revolutionising hygiene and treatment.
- Vaccination: Edward Jenner's discovery of the smallpox vaccine in 1796 introduced the concept of immunisation.
- Antibiotics: Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928 began the era of antibiotics, making previously fatal bacterial infections treatable.
- Discovery of DNA: The identification of the DNA double helix structure in 1953 by Watson, Crick, and Franklin opened the door to modern genetics and molecular biology.
5. How did the development of the germ theory revolutionise medical practice?
The development of the germ theory fundamentally changed medicine by providing a scientific explanation for infectious diseases, which were previously attributed to 'miasma' or bad air. This understanding led directly to several life-saving innovations. It prompted Joseph Lister to develop antiseptic surgery, drastically reducing post-operative infections. It also paved the way for public health initiatives like sanitation systems, water purification, and the development of antibiotics and vaccines to target specific pathogens.
6. What is considered the first modern medicine and what was its purpose?
The first modern medicine to be isolated from a natural source was morphine. It was extracted from the opium poppy in the early 1800s by the German scientist Friedrich Sertürner. Its primary purpose was as a powerful analgesic (painkiller), used to treat severe pain. This discovery marked a key moment in pharmacology, moving from using raw plant materials to isolating and administering their specific active ingredients.
7. Why is the Hippocratic Oath still relevant in the 21st century?
The Hippocratic Oath remains highly relevant because it establishes the core ethical principles that guide the medical profession. Although the original text is rarely used, its modern versions champion timeless values such as patient confidentiality, beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest), and non-maleficence (the principle to 'do no harm'). It serves as a foundational code of conduct, reminding physicians of their professional duties and their ethical commitment to human life and well-being over personal gain.
