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The history of Western medicine began with the ancient Greeks, particularly Hippocrates and Galen, who influenced Western medicine. The Romans also made significant contributions, including the first medical treatise and the idea of disease caused by imbalances in the body’s humors. Modern medical ideas, such as the germ theory of disease, emerged in the late 19th century, and major medical advances were made in the 20th century. The Catholic Church controlled medicine after the fall of the Roman Empire, but Romanesque medical ideas were reintroduced to Europe during the Crusades. The Renaissance saw a return to the ideas of Galen and Hippocrates, and the late 18th century brought about further changes in Western medicine. The 20th century saw significant medical advancements, including the development of penicillin and safe and effective blood transfusions. Today, doctors have a wide range of tools at their disposal.
The history of Western medicine is believed to have begun with the ancient Greeks, especially Hippocrates who is considered the father of Western medicine. Hippocrates, along with the Roman physician Galen, had a profound influence on Western medicine. Western ideas about health and medicine have evolved from the notion that black magic caused disease to a science-based understanding of good health and modern medical practices.
The Roman physician Dioscorides published what is widely considered the first medical treatise, De Materia Medica, a text that remained in widespread use among European physicians for some 1,500 years. The Roman physician Galen is also considered one of the most influential early physicians. He believed that disease was caused by imbalances in the four humors of the body: yellow bile, black bile, phlegm and blood. Galen’s beliefs would dominate Western medicine until about the mid-19th century.
The germ theory of disease and other modern medical ideas began to appear in the late 19th century. The late 19th century and 20th century saw major medical advances, including the widespread use of vaccines and the invention of effective antibiotics. It was also during this period that practices reverted to the principles of hygiene espoused by the Romans.
Before the advent of Greek medical philosophy, it was believed that many people thought that diseases were the result of black magic or immoral behavior. The Greeks and Romans put forward the idea that the disease was caused by external factors. The Greek physician Hippocrates is credited with naming and describing a number of diseases and herbal remedies.
Roman physician Galen is credited with inventing some of the first medicines and being one of the first surgeons. Historians believe that the Romans understood the importance of good sanitation for health and that it was for this reason that they erected public baths and installed plumbing infrastructure throughout the kingdom. The Romans may have founded some of the first hospitals in Europe as well.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the practice of medicine is believed to have largely fallen under the control of the Catholic Church. Practicing Catholic physicians from the 5th to the 13th century are believed to have relied on prayer and faith healing. The Crusades are credited with reintroducing Romanesque medical ideas to Europe, as these wars brought Europeans into contact with the more scientifically advanced Arab culture. The 13th and 14th century Europe is believed to be a time when medical universities and pharmacies flourished on the continent. It is believed that Europeans made a full return to the ideas of Galen and Hippocrates during the Renaissance.
The late 18th century is believed to have brought about further changes in Western medicine. Around the turn of the century, an English doctor named Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine, which protected against smallpox. During this era, however, Galen’s practices of bloodletting, enemas, and the administration of drugs to induce vomiting or sweating became increasingly popular, although these techniques are now believed to have been ineffective and may have killed many patients.
The second half of the 19th century saw a decline in these practices and introduced many ideas still held true by Western medical practitioners today. Louis Pasteur proved his theory that germs cause disease. Personal hygiene and, by extension, health began to improve, largely encouraged by government sanitation projects. Widespread use of vaccines begins to prevent diseases such as diphtheria and the plague. Nursing became a recognized medical profession and many physicians began to espouse the healthful virtues of fresh air, sunlight, exercise and a healthy diet.
The 20th century saw the development of penicillin, safe and effective pain relievers, and safe and effective blood transfusions, as well as amazing advances in medical equipment. Today, doctors have a wide range of tools at their disposal, enabling a standard of medical care unprecedented in history.
