History of Health Care - Piper Clark

Herbs and plants were used as medicine, and headaches, epilepsy and insanity were treated by boring a hole in the skull. Illnesses were thought to be put on people by evil spirits because of bad things they've done. After experimenting with different ways of treating sick people, they've discovered what works and what doesn't work. This has lead to huge advancements in medicine.

Ancient Egyptians are the earliest people known to maintain accurate health records. They believed the body was a system of channels: Air, tears, blood, urine, sperm, and feces. If one became clogged, leech therapy was used. They also used spiritual healing and herbal medicine Practices like these spread to other areas, influencing today's medical thinking.

The Ancient Chinese started using acupuncture to relieve pain and congestion. Burned a type of herb on sick people's skin to relieve irritation. Some medicines were guesses, but ended up working well. Acupuncture is still being used as of today, and other medicines have been created over time that relieve people of irritation.

Ancient Greeks began modern medical science by observing the human body and effects of disease. Believed illnesses are a result of natural causes. They believed heat, cold, and trauma could worsen or alleviate illnesses. Used therapies such as massage, art therapy, and herbal treatment. Some of these therapies are still used to treat people today.

Early hospitals developed when physicians cared for ill people in rooms in their homes. Doctors were more focused on preventing diseases rather than curing them. They began public health and sanitation systems, which has made things we do nowadays a lot more convenient (using the bathroom, taking showers, drinking water).

Medications were mainly herbal mixtures. Being sick was very common back in the dark ages because doctors weren't super educated on how to treat people. Since then there have been many advancements leading to all kinds of different forms of better medicine and better, more educated doctors.

Arab physicians used their knowledge of chemistry to advance pharmacology. Major diseases were smallpox, diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, the plague, and malaria. The way they diagnosed these diseases was by examining stools, blood, and especially urine. Doctors today still do blood and urine tests to diagnose people with illnesses.

Dissection of the body began so doctors could better understand anatomy and physiology. Believed too much or not enough of humors could cause diseases and disorders. Since dissection started, doctors today know what all bodies consist of.

Causes of infection were still unknown. People died from infections and childbirth fever. Microscope was invented, helping physicians better understand anatomy and signs of disease. Microscopes have of course gotten better over the years and are helpful for learning about what causes certain illnesses.

Early pharmacists made, sold, and prescribed medications. Some pharmacists were untrustworthy and gave harmful medication. Same actions are taking place now, but with better medications, and more trustworthy doctors.