History of Medicine Part 2

Medieval Medicine:
Religion trumped medicine in the Middle Ages as clerics became more interested in curing the soul than the body. No new medical research was conducted because people believed that cures were only possible through prayer. Although little was done to actually cure patients, contact with the Arab world during the Crusades led to the creation of many large hospitals run by monastic orders. Patients at these hospitals were well fed and comforted by a religious nursing staff.
Medieval practitioners drew a distinct line between medicine and surgery. Physicians treated problems inside the body where as surgeons dealt with wounds, fractures, dislocations, urinary problems, amputations, skin diseases, and syphilis. Many surgeons today can trace the roots of their specialties back to the Middle Ages. It was during this time period that medicine was recognized as a profession based on formal education, a standardized curriculum, and legal regulations. Some physicians were required to pass exams before beginning practice, and untrained physicians became subject to prosecution and fines for malpractice.

Renaissance Medicine:
The Renaissance stimulated many European intellectual pursuits, including medicine. Physicians, scholars, and surgeons began to research previously neglected areas such as the human anatomy, the spread of infectious diseases, and ways to ease the suffering of patients. Their discoveries corrected many of the errors in medical judgment that had gone undetected for centuries. Additionally, the new invention of printing allowed physicians and researchers to quickly and thoroughly disseminate their practices and findings, accompanied by useful illustrations, to other medical personnel and the general public. Finally, Ambiose Pare revolutionized surgery when he began to use ligatures to stop bleeding wounds instead of cauterizing them with boiling oil or red-hot pokers.

17th & 18th Century Medicine:
It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the practice of medicine began to drastically improve. Professional societies were formed and scientists published their findings in journals for all to see. Along with this, some important discoveries were made: William Harvey determined how blood flows through the body; Anton Leeuwenhoek discovered red blood cells, bacteria, and protozoa by using a microscope; Edward Jenner invented the vaccination; vitamins and their importance to health was recognized.
Although many of the old practices like bleeding and new dangerous treatments flourished (such as homeopathy), many folk healers were prohibited, male obstetricians began to replace midwives, and the practice of medicine, overall, became much more professional.

19th Century Medicine:
All of the disciplines that make up the first two years of medical school, except anatomy, were founded in the 19th century. Jakob Henle linked anatomy with biological functions and developed physiology; Robert Virchow created the field of cellular pathology; Louis Pasteur's experiments evolved into the field of microbiology; and many other important discoveries were made that have become the basis for current medical practice. Among other significant discoveries were Joseph Lister's realization that disinfecting surgical equipment made it much safer, and William Morton's development of anesthesia techniques, which made surgery painless.

20th Century Medicine:
Important advances continued to be made in all fields of medicine alongside the advancements of technology, which have led us to the AIDS treatments and chemotherapies of today. Notably, the perception of the mentally ill shifted from hostility to treatment, and thus the professions of psychiatrist, psychologist, and counselor were developed. This helps to pronounce the specialization that has become the norm in medicine today. It has become impossible for any physician to become an expert in every field, and many current clinical practices, like heart surgery, requires teams of surgeons, anesthetists, specialized technicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, and aides.

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/15569/hist-1.html