History of the Medical Technology Profession

The foundation of medical practice is linked to the Greek physician Hippocrates ( $300$ BC – $180$ AD), recognized as the Father of Medicine. He formulated the Hippocratic Oath, which serves as the code of ethics for practicing physicians.
Hippocrates described the four humors or body fluids in man, a concept also advocated by the Greek physician and philosopher Galen.
The four humors consist of:
- Blood
- Phlegm
- Yellow bile
- Black bile
In ancient times, these humors were believed to be the primary source of a person's disposition and the cause of disease.

Uroscopy, also known as water casting, was a diagnostic practice widely utilized in Medieval Europe.
Patients would submit urine specimens contained in decorative flasks for examination.
The Importance of the examination was strictly enforced; a physician who failed to examine a patient's urine was subjected to a public beating.

Vivian Herrick traces the beginnings of Medical Technology back to $1500$ BC. During this time, early writings such as the Ebers Papyrus mentioned intestinal parasites, specifically Taenia and Ascaris.
The Ebers Papyrus is a book focused on the treatment of diseases. It contains detailed descriptions of the three stages of hookworm infection.
Ruth Williams identifies the start of Medical Technology during the Medieval Period ( $1096$ - $1438$ ), citing the widespread fad for urine testing.
Early Hindu doctors made specific clinical observations, noting that the urine of certain individuals had a sweet taste and attracted ants.
During this era, quacks reaped significant fortunes by diagnosing various diseases based solely on the appearance of the urine.
Anne Fagelson posits that the profession began in the $14^{th}$ Century at the University of Bologna. An Italian physician employed Alessandra Giliani to perform tasks that are now considered within the domain of Medical Technology. Giliani died prematurely due to a laboratory-acquired infection.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek ( $1632$ - $1723$ ) invented and improved the compound microscope. He was the first to describe red blood cells, observe protozoa, and classify bacteria according to their specific shapes. His work led to rapid advancements in microbiology and pathology.
Marcelo Malphigi ( $1628$ - $1694$ ) is described as the greatest of the early microscopists. His extensive work on embryology and anatomy earned him the title of the Founder of Pathology.
Rudolf Virchow ( $1821$ - $1902$ ) was one of the youngest medical specialists and is recognized as the Father of Modern Pathology. He founded the Archives of Pathology in Berlin in $1847$ .
Hermann von Fehling ( $1812$ - $1885$ ) performed the first quantitative test for urine sugar in $1848$ .

The first chemical laboratory was established at the University of Michigan by Dr. Silas Douglas in $1844$ , where he pioneered laboratory instruction in a well-equipped facility.
In $1878$ , Dr. William Welch ( $1850$ - $1930$ ) established a laboratory at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He offered the first laboratory course in pathology in an American medical school and later became the first professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University in $1885$ .
The first clinical laboratory was opened in $1896$ at Johns Hopkins Hospital by Dr. William Osler. This laboratory focused on routine examinations, with special attention given to identifying malarial parasites in the blood.
Also in $1896$ , the William Pepper Laboratory was opened at the University of Pennsylvania.

In $1908$ , Dr. James C. Todd authored A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis. The book was later retitled Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods in its $6^{th}$ edition by Dr. Todd and Dr. Arthur Sanford, becoming the standard reference for clinical laboratories.
Based on the $1919$ census, Dr. John Kolmer published The Demand for & Training for Laboratory Technicians.
The number of technicians in the United States grew from $100$ (all male) in $1919$ to $3500$ in $1920$ .
By $1922$ , a total of $3035$ hospitals were equipped with clinical laboratories.

General Antonio Luna worked at the Laboratorio de la Ciudad de Manila, which was established in $1887$ for the examination of water, food, and clinical samples.
The Bureau of Government Laboratories (later known as the Bureau of Science) was established by the U.S. Government in $1901$ on Calle Herran (Pedro Gil), Ermita, Manila. This facility was destroyed during World War II.
Medical Technology practice was officially introduced to the Philippines by the $26^{th}$ Medical Infantry of the $6^{th}$ US Army.
In June $1943$ , the US Army left and endorsed the laboratory to the Department of Health, though the department rendered the laboratory non-functional for a period of time.
The first clinical laboratory in the Philippines was the Manila Public Health laboratory, located on Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila. As early as February $1944$ , the laboratory offered training programs to high school graduates.

On October $1$ , $1945$ , Dr. Alfredo Pio de Roda organized the Manila Public Health Laboratory using the remnants of the deserted wartime laboratory. He was assisted by Dr. Mariano Icasiano, the Manila City Health Officer.
In $1947$ , Dr. Pio de Roda and Prudencia Sta. Ana began training high school graduates to work as medical technicians. At this time, there was no set training period and no certificates were issued.
By $1954$ , the training program was formalized into a $6$ -month course with a certificate provided upon completion. Dr. Sta. Ana prepared the syllabus for this program.
The first Bachelor of Science degree course in Medical Technology was offered in $1954$ by the Philippine Union College and Manila Sanitarium Hospital.
In $1956$ , two years after the program began, the Philippine Union College produced its first graduate, Dr. Jesse Umali.