History of the Medical Technology Profession

Historical milestones, key personalities, and significant events in the development of the Medical Technology profession globally, in the United States, and in the Philippines.

Hippocrates

A Greek physician known as the "Father of Medicine" who formulated the Hippocratic Oath and described the four humors.

Four Humors

The body fluids believed to be the source of disposition and disease: Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, and Black Bile.

Uroscopy

Also known as "water casting," a medical practice in Medieval Europe involving the examination of urine specimen in decorative flasks.

Vivian Herrick

Traced the beginning of Medical Technology to $1500\,BC$ when intestinal parasites like Taenia and Ascaris were mentioned in early writings.

Ebers Papyrus

A book for the treatment of diseases containing descriptions of the three stages of hookworm infection.

Ruth Williams

Supported the view that Medical Technology began during the Medieval Period ($1096-1438$) based on the fad for urine testing.

Anne Fagelson

Stated Medical Technology started in the 14th Century when Alessandra Giliani was employed to perform laboratory tasks.

Alessandra Giliani

An employee at the University of Bologna who performed Medical Technology tasks and died from a laboratory acquired infection.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Invented and improved the compound microscope and was the first to describe red blood cells, protozoa, and bacterial shapes.

Marcelo Malpighi

Described as the "greatest" of the early microscopists and recognized as "the Founder of Pathology."

Rudolf Virchow

Known as "the Father of Modern Pathology" and founded the Archives of Pathology in Berlin in $1847$.

Hermann von Fehling

Performed the first quantitative test for urine sugar in $1848$.

Dr. Silas Douglas

Pioneered laboratory instruction at the University of Michigan, establishing the first chemical laboratory in $1844$.

Dr. William Welch

Established a laboratory at Bellevue Hospital Medical College ($1878$) and became the first professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University ($1885$).

Dr. William Osler

Opened the first clinical laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital in $1896$, focusing on routine examinations such as malarial parasites in blood.

William Pepper Laboratory

A clinical laboratory opened at the University of Pennsylvania in $1896$.

Dr. John Kolmer

Published "The Demand for & Training for Laboratory Technicians" in $1919$.

A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis

A book written by Dr. James C. Todd in $1908$ that became the standard reference for laboratories; later retitled "Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods."

Gen. Antonio Luna

Worked at the Laboratorio de la Ciudad de Manila, established in $1887$ for examining food, water, and clinical samples.

Bureau of Government Laboratories

Established in $1901$ by the U.S. Government in Calle Herran, Ermita, Manila, and later became the Bureau of Science.

26th Medical Infantry of the 6th US Army

The group that introduced Medical Technology practice in the Philippines.

Manila Public Health Laboratory

The first clinical laboratory in the Philippines, located on Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Dr. Alfredo Pio de Roda

Organized the Manila Public Health Laboratory on October 1, $1945$, from the remnants of a deserted laboratory.

Dr. Mariano Icasiano

The Manila City Health Officer who assisted Dr. Pio de Roda in reorganizing the Manila Public Health Laboratory.

Prudencia Sta. Ana

Collaborated with Dr. Pio de Roda to train high school graduates as technicians and prepared the syllabus for the $6-month$ training program in $1954$.

Dr. Jesse Umali

The first graduate of the B.S. Medical Technology course, completing the program from Philippine Union College in $1956$.