The Surgical Practices Of Modern Western Medicine

During the late 700s and early 800s, Emperor Charlemagne decreed that those hospitals which had been well conducted well before his time and had fallen into decay should be restored in accordance with the needs of the time.[8] He further ordered that a hospital should be attached to each cathedral and monastery. During the tenth century the monasteries became as a dominant factor in hospital work. The famous Benedictine Abbey of Cluny, founded in 910, set the example which was widely imitated throughout France and Germany.

The logic and principles of medieval medicine shaped those of Modern medicine. Never was there a more efficient method perfected, so much that it remained through history through so many hundreds of years. Today’s concepts of diagnosis, relationships with the church, anatomy, surgery, hospitals and training, and public health were established in the Middle Ages.

Prior to 18th century Europe there were a few effective medical developments but most treatments lacked medical value. An idea developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans insisted that bloodletting was a fantastic remedy to difficult diseases but it did more harm than good (Doc 4). Another flaw in medicine is the level of hygiene in the institutions that provided care. The sick were crammed into dirty hospitals, dead lay beside those clinging to life, and the air was

A misconception about medical care during this time period is that it improved drastically. The mortality rates experienced a decline in the 1800s, less people were getting sick outside of large cities, and hospitals and infirmaries were being set up all over Europe. Medical advances had a minor role in all of this. Sanitation had the largest effect in combating illness and death. In the name of self-interest, the wealthy pooled money to build healthcare facilities. It was really just, “a stage-managed means by which the patricians bought off the plebeians, persuading them that their social superiors gave back in paternal affection what they took away in time and sweat” (Waller, “Medicine in the Enlightenment”). Physicians cannot be reasonably credited with the mass’ growing quality of life. They still provided treatments that did not work, and at times hastened the death of their patients. On top of this many

The medical practitioners of the Middle Ages were also of key importance to this time. Only the rich could afford Doctors who had been to medical school and trained on anatomy, surgery and medicine. Most people had to see Barber-Surgeon’s, a person, though medically untrained, was thought to be worthy of the job for their knowledge of how to use a razor. At the shop of the local Barber-Surgeon, one could get anything done from having their hair cut, to their teeth pulled, or even an amputation.

Everyone can relate to getting sick and having to go to the doctors and going to pick up medicine at a pharmacist.But what you might not know is how people with illnesses or some sick symptoms were treated in the Medieval days.Receiving medication is something a bit different.People in Medieval times would go to the doctors. However the doctors had extremely limited knowledge and really did not know what caused illnesses.It was hard enough for ordinary poorer people or people who did not live in big main towns to get medical help.They had a difficult time for access doctors Those who were in need of medical assistance in those situations may have and ask local people who had medical knowledge.Most people when they had minor symptoms and nothing to serious hat required medical assistance,Such as upset stomachs,headaches,eye problems,exd.They Would go to the apothecary and there they would be given mixtures of

nurses? Back then there was about five of every medical assistants. During the Middle Ages, there was a limited amount of medicine, but the majority of time they would use herbs. People would get sick, had minor pain, or had been contaminated.

I. INTRODUCTION- Did you know about 234 million major surgeries are performed each year? Today surgeries are top notch and can fix almost anything, whether it is fixing a broken nose or a heart transplant. Although, where did surgery start out and how did it affect life? In The History of Philosophy: A Short Survey by James Fieser, Fieser explains how a couple of brilliant minds paved the way for a surgery and medicine take over the world. Before the Renaissance, everything was based on religion or god. Once people started to prove religion wrong with science the world was flipped upside down. Surgery in the Renaissance destroyed religion, because everything went from theory to fact.

The period before these great physicians was a time of discovery and collection of old medical knowledge and surgical procedures specifically from Greeks, Persians, Assyrian Syriacs, Indians and Byzantines2 by the scholars and physicians of the early Islamic empire. Muslims of the 7th century, were probably the most successful of the empires before them to amalgamate an abundance of medical information from ancient books and scriptures and further exploring and experimenting with their learned teachings to bring about new theories in

America Surgery came at last in this age. The first period, colonial period, was recorded by Hunterian principles. Most of American surgeons were trained and graduated from Scottish and London, school of medicine. This period may extend to 1820. There were much heroic operations like aneurysms, and amputations. The most crucial surgeons in this period were two Warrens, father and son in Boston. Physick, often called “The Father of America Surgery”. Wright Post in New York, Dorsey, nephew of Physick in Philadelphia, and Nathan Smith in Yale.

Healthcare by far is one of the most modified careers ever established. There is no doubt that things are always changing. From the rules and procedures, to the equipment, and medicine,the need to keep evolving will always be needed. As the years advance the quality of care will grow as well. Unfortunately the standards of health weren't always so high, and this caused the life span to diminish as well. Before medicine was even thought of people in the ancient times assumed that spirits and gods were to make their presence known through diseases, and that’s why they had them. It wasn't long before people started to challenge those ideas and solve a lot of unknown problems. This era came to be known as “The Renaissance”.

The healthcare systems during this time were not very "healthy". Hospitals were filthy and overcrowded; with many people often being crowded two to a bed. This closeness of sick people, with already weak immune systems would also lead to even more sickness and death. The Hospitals themself were also dirty and doctors would reuse equipment that was still carrying traces of viruses and bacteria. Their neglectful practices lead to more sickness and death among those who seek out medical care. Surgeons also practiced experimental techniques on their patients, which were sometimes fatal. One example would be the cauterization of amputated limbs and the amputation of limbs with dirty tools, which often resulted in infections and soon after that death.

During 700-1500 there was very little knowledge known about health, medicine and disease, therefore lifestyle patterns in the Muslim world and the Americas during this time contributed to illness. Physicians did not have a clear understanding of how diseases were spreading. Diseases like the Black Death nearly swept the Muslim empire. The preservation of the Greco-Roman empire helped contribute to most of the Muslim world’s modern medicine. Islamic hospitals provided care for the mentally ill patients and various forms of restraints were placed on the violently insane; they were given drugs, baths and medicine to help cure their insanity (Anderson, 2007, p. 144). Cauterizing of battle wounds and surgical practices were new norms developed by

The history of medicine is an extensive and distinguished one, as healers sought to alleviate illnesses and fix injuries since the dawn of humanity. Shamen and pagan priests would visit the sick and injured in their homes. They used a blend of rituals and medical techniques, to cure these ailments. Herbs, acupuncture and prayer were commonly used for the healing process. The ancient physicians also stitched wounds, set broken bones, and used opium for pain. (Shuttleworth, 2010) (Gormley, 2010) As medicine practices progressed, so did the care for people. Christianity heavily influenced this progression. The Church’s role in providing for the sick became firmly established. It partly began as the Roman Empire turned to Christianity. After 400 AD, many monasteries were constructed generally including accommodations for travelers, the poor, and the sick. The monarchs of the sixth century reinforced this and directed that buildings should be attached to cathedrals. These buildings were to be known today as hospitals. Soon enough, religious institutions provided most of the healthcare to the poor, while physicians continued to make small house calls to the upper class. The religious institutions back then are still used today and known as Catholic healthcare systems.

In medieval times science wasn't thought of much as people did not have a good understanding of anatomy,astronomy or medicine. As the Renaissance was born and the printing press was made, more people were becoming educated in anatomy or science. An increase in knowledge about anatomy, which was the study of the human body was from observing dissection. This truly sparked a new “era” of medicine. This new “era” of medicine obviously helped many who were sick and lead away from defective methods such as bloodletting.