Medicine through time

Middle Ages

A historical period from c1250 to c1500 characterized by a strong influence of the Christian Church on medicine and the persistence of ancient medical theories.

The Four Humours

The ancient Greek theory that the human body is governed by four fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile; an imbalance of these was believed to cause illness.

Galen

A prominent Greek physician whose medical theories dominated medieval medicine; he is known for his work on anatomy and the Four Humours.

Black Death

A devastating pandemic in the 14th century, believed to be caused by the bubonic plague, resulting in the deaths of about one third of Europe's population.

Miasma Theory

An ancient theory that diseases were caused by 'bad air' or foul smells; this belief persisted well into the 19th century.

William Harvey

A 17th-century physician known for discovering the circulation of blood and challenging Galen's theories.

Germ Theory

A scientific theory that diseases are caused by microorganisms; notably advanced by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch in the 19th century.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to stimulate the immune response and prevent diseases, pioneered by Edward Jenner for smallpox.

Cholera

An infectious disease caused by ingesting contaminated water; major outbreaks occurred in the 19th century, particularly in London.

Florence Nightingale

A nurse whose reforms in hospital care during the Crimean War greatly improved sanitation and patient care, establishing nursing as a respectable profession.

Anaesthetics

Drugs used to prevent pain during surgical procedures; significant advancements in anaesthesia occurred in the 19th century with the introduction of chloroform and ether.

Public Health Act 1875

Legislation that mandated city authorities in Britain to improve public health conditions by providing clean water, sewers, and overseeing sanitation.

Edward Jenner

An English physician who developed the first successful smallpox vaccine, proving it possible to prevent disease through vaccination.

Antibiotics

Medications that destroy bacteria or inhibit their growth, with penicillin being the first widely used antibiotic discovered in the 20th century.

Royal Society

An organization established in the 17th century to promote scientific knowledge, facilitating the exchange of ideas and research.

Thomas Sydenham

A physician in the 17th century known for his observations and classification of diseases, contributing to the clinical understanding of medicine.

Surgical Techniques

Methods and procedures used in surgery; significant improvements were made in techniques and hygiene practices during the 19th century.

Royal Jennerian Society

An organization established to promote vaccination following Edward Jenner's discovery of the smallpox vaccine.

Human Genome Project

An initiative started in 1990 aimed at mapping all the genes in human DNA, enhancing understanding of genetic conditions.

Magic Bullets

A term used to describe targeted treatments for diseases, particularly those that specifically attack pathogens without harming the host.

Hippocrates

Often regarded as the 'Father of Medicine', he established a code of ethics for physicians and emphasized systematic observation of patients.

Middle Ages Medicine

Medicine during this time was heavily influenced by the Church, focusing on prayer and religious practices for healing.

Renaissance Medicine

Period marked by a return to the study of anatomy and the human body, leading to significant advancements in medical knowledge.

Antiseptic Surgery

Techniques developed in the 19th century to prevent infection during surgery, pioneered by Joseph Lister.

Pasteurization

A process developed by Louis Pasteur to kill pathogens in food and drinks, significantly improving public health.

X-rays

Discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895, X-rays transformed medical imaging and diagnosis.

Penicillin

Discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, it's the first true antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Biomedical Research

A scientific study focused on understanding health and disease, enhancing the development of new treatments.

Telemedicine

The remote diagnosis and treatment of patients using telecommunications technology, gaining prominence in the 21st century.

Personalized Medicine

A medical model that tailors treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient, utilizing genetic information.