The History of Medicine
Over the years, many different cultures have developed different methods of solving medical problems. These methods have shaped medicine into what it is today. The three main groups that have greatly influenced medicine are the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans. Some of the concepts held by each group were alike, but some were different. However, many of the ideas are very similar to the ones that we have today in the medical practice. In the time of the Egyptians, the study and practice of medicine, although very primitive compared to today’s standards, was very profound. The Egyptians were well-known for being scared about diseases and becoming ill. This is one of the reasons why medicine was so important to
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They continued to make brilliant advances in medicine, but they were not as skilled as the Ancient Egyptians, who were recognized as the greatest healers in the world. At first, the Greeks believed that prayers to the God of Medicine would heal the ill, but Hippocrates changed that view. Hippocrates believed that checking for symptoms, giving diagnoses to the sick, and giving treatment should be separated from the prayers to the gods. The early Greek physicians following Hippocrates leadership, studied the case history of the patient, ask the patient questions, and try to find out as much as possible from the patient before jumping to a diagnosis. This two-way communication between the physician and the patient became a foundation for the communication used between doctors and patients today. The Greeks also performed surgery, and some of the instruments they used during procedures are similar to what are used today in hospitals. The Ancient Greeks used scalpels, forceps, catheters, and even syringes. The Greeks also knew hot use splints and treat fractured bones as well as use compresses to prevent infection. The Ancient Greeks were at the root of modern medical history, understanding the importance of cleanliness, medicines and more refined