4.2 Approaches to prevention and treatment

• What have scientists experimented with since the Renaissance?

  Chemicals to create medical treatments
• What has technological advancement allowed modern scientists to do?

  Study the molecular structure of chemicals
• What was the goal of scientists at the beginning of the 20th century regarding treatments?

  Target harmful microorganisms without harming the body
• Who proved that 'magic bullets' were possible?

  Ehrlich and Domagk
• What disease was treated with 'magic bullets'?

  Syphilis
• Who accidentally discovered penicillin?

  Alexander Fleming
• What did Florey and Chain do with Fleming's findings?

  Mass-produced penicillin in 1941
• How did World War Two impact medical research?

  Governments financed research for penicillin
• What was the state of infection-related deaths before 1945?

  People often died from minor wound infections
• When was the National Health Service (NHS) created?

  1948
• What did the NHS provide for the less wealthy?

  Access to healthcare without denial
• How did the NHS revolutionize access to care?

  Incorporated GPs and hospitals in a unified system
• What advancements improved surgery levels in the NHS?

  X-rays, robotic surgery, and hypodermic needles
• What diseases still lack specialized treatments in the 21st century?

  Cancers
• What issue arises from microbes in modern medicine?

  They can evolve to become drug-resistant
• What challenges do some people face with NHS services?

  Difficulties accessing services and time constraints
• What new disease has increased the need for treatment development?

  COVID-19
• What concept did doctors understand by the 20th century?

  The idea of antibodies
• How does vaccination work according to medical professionals?

  It produces a reaction from the immune system
• What was the early 20th-century concept of a 'magic bullet'?

  A chemical treatment targeting harmful bacteria
• What was a significant problem regarding syphilis in the 19th and 20th centuries?

  Many young men had syphilis during wars
• What did Paul Ehrlich test to find a cure for syphilis?

  Arsenic compounds
• What did Japanese scientist Hata discover in 1909?

  Compound 606 cured syphilis
• What was the world's first 'magic bullet' named?

  Salvarsan 606
• What did Gerhard Domagk discover in 1932?

  Prontosil killed infections in mice
• How did Domagk test Prontosil on humans?

  He tested it on his dying daughter
• What was the impact of Prontosil on puerperal fever?

  Death rates dropped from 20% to 4.7%
• What encouraged scientists to pursue antibiotic development?

  Success of Domagk's and Ehrlich's treatments
• What is the difference between 'magic bullets' and antibiotics?

  'Magic bullets' are chemicals; antibiotics are microorganisms
• What is MRSA resistant to?

  Some antibiotics, mainly penicillin
• What operations are now available to patients in modern Britain?

  Hip replacements and organ transplants
• What major problems does modern surgery address?

  Blood loss, pain, and infection
• What was the first successful organ transplant?

  Kidney transplant in 1956
• What is laparoscopic surgery also known as?

  Keyhole surgery
• How does robotic surgery improve accuracy?

  Equipment is controlled by computers
• What is the purpose of X-rays in modern surgery?

  To find and reduce tumors
• What does dialysis do?

  Performs the function of the kidneys
• What did the Liberal Party do in 1906?

  Won the general election and passed reforms
• What did the National Insurance Act of 1911 provide?

  Health insurance for male workers
• What was a limitation of the National Insurance Act?

  Did not cover women or families