Figure 1.--Here we see a colorized English magic latern lide showing a group of boys trying to get their friend, who has the flu, to come out and play. The slie is undated, but would have been taken in the 1890s. This is just at the time that the existence of viuses was first proven. The lack of understanding of viruses meant that scientists and doctors were powerless to deal with the deadly flu pandemic that struck at the end of World War I (1918-19).

The history of medical science is a fasscinating story. Even before the development of civilization, humans began to notice the medicinal properties of plants and substances. Several ancient authors addressed the topic, espcilly the Greeks. But without scientific knowledge there was little they could do. Hippocrates of Kos (Hippocrates II) was a Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, is one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. The Roman physician Galen (c129–199 AD) dominated Western medicine for centuries. During the medieval era it was the Islamic world that preserved and built on classical knowledge. Several scholars such as Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari (860 AD) advanced medical knowledge. As the Islamic world turned away from science toward a narrow religious outlook, it would be the Christian West that would develop modern medical science. Bacterial disceases were the first to be addressed because bacteria, a least bacterial growths, could be observed. Bacteriology began after science had been invented in the West. Experimental work with began with many important scientific discoveries (17th century). Botanists and zoologists tried to structure and classify the world of the invisible living organisms (18th century). Bacteriology was established as the science of disease germs (1880s). The German physician Robert Koch brought the science of microorganisms moved into the realm of medicine. Viruses were more of a problem because they were so incredably small. The history of virology began somewhat later (late-19th century). Louis Pasteur and Edward Jenner developed the first vaccines to protect against viral infections, but they had no idea about the science behind their treatments. They did not even know that viruses existed. The first evidence that viruses came from experiments with filters that had pores small enough to retain bacteria. Dmitry Ivanovsky used one of these filters to show that sap from a diseased tobacco plant remained infectious to healthy tobacco plants despite having been filtered (1892). Martinus Beijerinck called the filtered, infectious substance a 'virus' and this discovery was the launch of virology. The subsequent discovery and partial characterization of bacteriophages by Felix d'Herelle further catalyzed the field, and many viruses were discovered (early-20 th century). Unfortuntely this work was to limited to give scietists the tools needed to address the deadly flu epidemic at the end of World War I.

Chronology

Pre-history

The history of medical science is a fasscinating story. Even before the development of civilization, humans began to notice the medicinal properties of plants and substances.

Ancient History

Several ancient authors addressed the subject of dusease. For most of antiwuity dusease was hought of as being inflicted on humanity by the gods. The Greeks appear to be the first to develop a theory of disease attributing it to earthly causes. Hippocrates of Kos (Hippocrates II) was a Greek physician of the Age of Pericles (4th-5th century BC), is one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is the first known individual to talk about earthly causes and to move away from supernatural influences. But without scientific knowledge there was little that could be done to cure a patient. The Roman physician Galen (c129–199 AD) dominated Western medicine for centuries.

Medieval Era

During the medieval era it was the Islamic world that preserved and built on classical knowledge. Several scholars such as Ali ibn Sahl Rabban al-Tabari (860 AD) advanced medical knowledge. As the Islamic world turned away from science toward a narrow religious outlook, it would be the Christian West that would develop modern medical science.

Modern Era

The germ theory of disease was the fundanental advabnce in modern merdicine. The germ theory of disease is the currently accepted scientific theory for many diseases. It states that microorganisms known as pathogens or "germs" can lead to disease. These small organisms, too small to see without magnification, invade humans, other animals, and other living hosts. Bacterial disceases were the first to be addressed because bacteria, a least bacterial growths, could be observed. Bacteriology began after science had been invented in the West. Experimental work with began with many important scientific discoveries (17th century). Botanists and zoologists tried to structure and classify the world of the invisible living organisms (18th century). Bacteriology was established as the science of disease germs (1880s). The German physician Robert Koch brought the science of microorganisms moved into the realm of medicine. Viruses were more of a problem because they were so incredably small. The history of virology began somewhat later (late-19th century). Louis Pasteur and Edward Jenner developed the first vaccines to protect against viral infections, but they had no idea about the science behind their treatments. They did not even know that viruses existed. The first evidence that viruses came from experiments with filters that had pores small enough to retain bacteria. Dmitry Ivanovsky used one of these filters to show that sap from a diseased tobacco plant remained infectious to healthy tobacco plants despite having been filtered (1892). Martinus Beijerinck called the filtered, infectious substance a 'virus' and this discovery was the launch of virology. The subsequent discovery and partial characterization of bacteriophages by Felix d'Herelle further catalyzed the field, and many viruses were discovered (early-20 th century). Unfortuntely this work was to limited to give scietists the tools needed to address the deadly flu epidemic at the end of World War I.

Therapies

Infectuous disewase

Non infectous disease

Diet

Phareceuticals

Surgery

Heliotherapy

Heliotherapy is the use of sunlight for therapeutic purposes. The Sun has been a focus of humans dince the very dawn of humnity. And many ancuient civilizatiins worshipped the sun. It is only in moder times that medical practice based on sun light has developed--heliotherapy. It is also now knon as light therpy as artificial lamps are used. I recll experiencing this at a very young age, alhough I do not recall why. I only remember I didn't like it as I had to sit under a UV lamp in just my underepants. As far as we can tell, for most of history, the sun wa to be worshiped, but exposure to be avoided. Europeans wanted pale complexions. A tanned skin was a sign of manual labor outdoors. A French doctor noticed that leg sores healed faster when exposed to the sun (late-18th century). A Danish doctor reported similar findings (19th century). Dr. Niels Finsen, who later was awarded a Nobel Prize, first noted that what he dscribbed as 'sluggishness' was improved with a dose of sunlight. He began investigating this and found that sunlight was bneficial in the treatment of smallpox, lupus and tuberculosis. It was his work on lupus that earned him his Nobel Prize. Sanitoria had begun opening in Europe with a focus on fresh air and sunshine. Heliotherapy only began to be adooted as a medical practice when Swiss doctor, Auguste Rollier, started championing it (early-1900s). Rollier was primarily concrerned with tuberculosis and opened sanatoria he called 'solaria' in the mountains with a special focus ion sundshine. American doctors primarily focused on tuberculosis found benefits in the arid, sun-drenched southwest. Doctors across Europe promoted heliotherapy as a cure for tuberculosis and lupus, cuts and scrapes, burns, arthritis, rheumatism, and nerve damage. The German Army during World War I opened sun-hospitals for its soldiers. Tans after the War began to become trendy as a sign of good health. Americns began flocking to Florida and southern California. Researchers began to understand the actul benefits. They found that sunlight killed the bacteria that caused tuberculosis and other diseases. Others proved that sunlight and UV light could cure rickets caused by a dietary deficiency (vitamin D). In Italy sanatoiria were opened. Rickets was the primary concern. We also notice heliotherapy summer camps in Italy.

Chinese medicine

Created: 1:15 AM 2/4/2018
Last updated: 6:31 PM 7/13/2021