Lecture 1Lecture 1 Introduction to History

of Medicine.Medicine of Primitive

Society.

PLAN

•1. Introduction to History of Medicine.

•2. Stages in the Development of Medicine

•3. Medicine of Primitive Society.

Introduction to History of Medicine.

•History of medicine is one of sections of general history of culture of humanity. She examines development of knowledges, related to the diseases, treatment of man, saving and strengthening of its health. The table of contents of medicine, level of precautionary measures, position of medical workers, always depended and depend on the socio-economic terms of life of humanity, framework of society, development of natural sciences, philosophy, technique. That is why to study history of medicine, correctly understanding its development is possible only in indissoluble connection with general history of humanity.

History of Medicine

General Specialized(therapy, surgery)

Stages in the Development of Medicine

•Medicine of the Primitive Society•Medicine of the Ancient World•Medicine of the Middle Ages•Renaissance Medicine•Early Modern Medicine•Medicine in the 20th Century

Development of Medicine is influenced by:

•Material conditions•Productive forces development•Philosophy and world outlook

Sources for Studying History of Medicine:

•Life of existing prehistoric (aboriginal) societies

•Written Evidence (manuscripts, printed sources, papyri, ceramics)

•Archaeology and Examination of Artefacts

•Multimedia evidence

•Ethnographic sources (customs, traditions, songs, etc.)

Elements of systems of medicine

•Magic and Religion•Folk remedies•Elementary surgery

Elements of systems of medicine

•Magic and Religion•Incantations•Dancing•Magic charms•Talismans•Various other measures

Elements of systems of medicine

•Folk remedies•Potions•Herbs•Roots•Berries•Fruits

Surgical Procedures practiced in ancient societies• Cleaning and treating wounds by cautery (burning

or searing tissue), poultices, and sutures.• Trepanation.• Resetting dislocations and fractures.• Using splints to support or immobilize broken

bones.• Laxatives and enemas to treat constipation and

other digestive ills.• Narcotic and stimulating plant extracts (digitalis, a

heart stimulant extracted from foxglove).

Prehistoric Procedure

• Setting of Bones, Fractures and Dislocations

Prehistoric Procedure

• Treating Burns

Prehistoric Procedure

• Delivering Babies

Prehistoric Procedure

• Trephining, a remedy for demons, insanity, epilepsy, and headache.

Prehistoric Procedure

• Trephining

Trepanation of the skull operation

Bronze knife for trepanation of the skull decorated with images of trepanation, found in Hamburg

Skulls of ancient people who went through trepanation of the skull (regeneration of edges of trepanation openings). Copenhagen

Skull of ancient man who died during trepanation of the skull (openings without regeneration signs)

Herbalism• There is no actual record of when the use of

plants for medicinal purposes first started, although the first generally accepted use of plants as healing agents were depicted in the cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux caves in France, which have been Radiocarbon dated to between 13,000 - 25,000 BCE.

• Over time and with trial and error, a small base of knowledge was acquired within early tribal communities. As this knowledge base expanded over the generations, tribal culture developed into specialized areas. These 'specialized jobs' became what are now known as healers or shamans.

Problems with Studying Prehistoric Medicine

• Archaeology and Examination of Artefacts• Compare with existing prehistoric societies

▫ Aboriginal societies

•No written Evidence•How can we overcome this problem?

Archaeology and Artefacts

Excavation Techniques

Nomadic lifestyleWarriors/huntersKilled away from

Tribe/group

PrehistoricBurial Traditions

Skeletons not always helpful

Problems withArchaeology

Cave Drawing

Medical Equipment used by Aboriginal People

Thigh osteosis of primitive man from Java island. Oldest example of human pathology.

Sacral mask used in ceremony of “banishing ancestors’ spirits”. Sri Lanka

Burial ceremony in a “flower tribe”

Paleolithic Venus

Totem of tribe

Sacred animals of tribes

Sacred animals of tribes

Problems with Studying Prehistoric Medicine

• Archaeology and Examination of Artefacts• Compare with existing prehistoric societies

▫ Aboriginal societies

•No written Evidence•How can we overcome this problem?

Nomadic Lifestyle

•Could be Surprisingly Healthy▫Fit and Active lifestyle▫Eat fresh food▫Little Pollution or Dirt

Move to new camps▫Low Population Density▫Little exposure to animals

All change with the Agricultural Revolution•When humans settled down to grow

crops and raise animals their health began to get worse.

Can you list why this may have been the case?

Thank you for your attention!