Medicine Through Time Timeline 3000 BCPre-History – understanding is based on spirits and gods. No real medical care. People die very young, normally by the age of 30-35 for men, but only 15-25 for women due to the dangers of childbirth. Most people suffered osteoarthritis (painful swelling of the joints).2000 BCEgyptian Empire – development of papyrus, trade and a greater understanding of the body (based on irrigation channels from the River Nile). They believed the body had 42 blood channels and that illness was caused by undigested food blocking these channels.1500 – 300 BCGreek Empire – Medicine still based on religion – Temple of Asclepius. Here, patients would get better, but mainly through the standard of rest, relaxation and exercise (like a Greek health spa)400 BCHippocrates – founder of the Four Humours theory. This theory stated that there were four main elements in the body – blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. Illness was caused by having too much of one of these humours inside of you. He also wrote the Hippocratic Collection, more than 60 books detailing symptoms and treatments of many diseases.400 BC – 500 ADRoman Empire – The Romans were renowned for excellent public health facilities. The Romans introduced aqueducts, public baths, sewers and drains, etc. In the citcy of Rome, water commissioners were appointed to ensure good supplies of clean water.162 ADGalen – continues the four humours theory but extends it to have the humours in opposition to each other. This meant that an illness could be treated in one of two ways, either removing the “excess” humour or by adding more to its opposite. Galen also proves the brain is important in the body (operation on the pig). Galen’s books would become the foundation of medical treatment in Europe for the next 1500
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