Medicine Through Time

• The first recorded use of anesthesia was by the Sumerians, who used opium to relieve pain.
• The history of medicine spans the whole of human history, with health, disease and medicine formally studied by people in ancient times.
• Over the past 1,000 years, humans have become healthier than their ancestors were and have more medical understanding than ever before.
• The past 1,000 years have seen periods of change and continuity.
• When studying the history of medicine, it is important to understand the chronology, the order of events and the sequence of time and key events are important for understanding change and continuity.
• Time can be divided into historical periods, with the ancient world, up to the fall of the Roman Empire, being very important to the study of medicine but not part of this thematic study.
• The Industrial Revolution, c.1700-c.1900 - the second half of this period is sometimes referred to as the ‘Victorian’ period, after Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901
• The four historical periods for this thematic study of the history of medicine are: Medieval England, c.1250-c.1500 - this period is sometimes referred to as the ‘Middle Ages’
• Renaissance England, c.1500-c.1700 - this period is sometimes referred to as ‘Early Modern’; the Reformation close Reformation The 16th century religious revolution that led to the establishment of the Protestant churches
• Centuries To help make sense of time, time periods are broken down into smaller chunks of time: century - a period of 100 years decade - a period of 10 years Dates in history are ordered into centuries
• Modern Britain, c.1900-present - the very early 1900s are sometimes referred to as the ‘Edwardian’ period
• Medicine in Britain overview - Edexcel covers a period of almost 1,000 years, from c.1250 to the present day.
• Understanding the period's chronology and knowing some key themes is essential to understanding patterns of change and continuity.
• These patterns and factors that contributed to medical progress over time can each be observed and analysed.
• Power, authority and influence in England, c.1250-present is a key theme in understanding the history of medicine.
• Terminology used in the study of the history of medicine includes change, continuity, progress, regression, rate of change, turning point, factor, prevention, and treatment.
• The Church was highly influential throughout medieval England and into the Renaissance period, and it remained very powerful until after the Reformation.
• Interest in science and technology grew, leading to progress in the understanding of the human body.
• The British government took a more active role in the health of the people as there was greater scientific understanding of the causes of disease and illness.
• The discovery of DNA in 1953 was a turning point in the understanding of genetic disease.
• The Great Plague saw actions and thinking that reflected the prevalent ideas about the causes of disease and illness.
• The British government now funds medical treatment and research, encourages mass vaccination, and disseminates vital information to help the British people prevent disease and illness.
• Many ideas about the causes of disease and illness continued from medieval England, affecting prevention and treatment.
• The Industrial Revolution saw rapid progress in understanding the causes of disease and illness, leading to better prevention, treatment, surgery and public health.
• The 20th century saw rapid improvements in technology that led to progress in diagnosis.
• Early Modern England saw a period of re-examination of classical and medieval ideas, with the Church's teachings being challenged and questioned.
• The role of government has further adapted alongside new scientific understanding.
• Medicine in medieval England was based on religious, supernatural and rational ideas.
• The Church held great power over the practice of medicine in medieval England.
• The Black Death, which reached Britain in 1348, had a significant impact on medieval medicine.
• In medieval England, people did not generally use science to understand medical conditions.
• England had a very religious society in the medieval period, and religious beliefs and superstitions were used to explain, diagnose, and decide on treatments for illness.
• The Church had great influence over people’s lives in medieval England.
• People were very religious and followed the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• In medieval England, it was believed that God controlled everything that happened in the world, including disease and illness.
• Most people were Christian and believed that illness and disease were sent by God as a punishment for sin.
• It was also thought that illness and disease could be a test of a person’s faith - either by God or by the Devil.
• Astrology was used alongside religion to help diagnose disease and illness in medieval England.
• A physician in medieval England was a person who practised medicine.
• The use of astrology to diagnose illness and disease became more popular after the Black Death.