c1500-c1700: Ideas about the cause of disease and illness

Question 1

Change in causes

Answer 1

The Theory of Four Humours cannot be used to explain all illnesses.

Question 2

Continuity in causes

Answer 2

Still believed miasma caused disease.

Question 3

Causes of change in causes

Answer 3

Ordinary people and scientists are more interested in SECULAR IDEAS about causes of disease.
The Church and astrology had LESS INFLUENCE due to secular views.
DISSECTION allowed better understanding of anatomy and therefore disease.
Invention of MICROSCOPES.

Question 4

Causes of continuity in treatment

Answer 4

Although there were new ideas, there were no new ways of diagnosing or treating illnesses, so there was little to no impact.

Question 5

Diagnosis - Thomas Sydenham

Answer 5

Encouraged treating the disease rather than the symptoms, said that diseases could be classified like plants and animals.
Impact - encouraged his students to observe patients and record symptoms, controversial ideas about organisation of diseases.

Question 6

Printing press

Answer 6

The printing press had a huge impact on the sharing of medical information, since several copies of the same book could be produced quickly. The Church could not control the books which were being published (monks hand wrote/copied books), so had less influence

Question 7

Royal society

Answer 7

A group of scientists who researched, shared and criticised each others’ work to obtain better results. They had a huge impact, especially after they received the royal charter from Charles II.

Question 8

Andreas Vesalius

Answer 8

Anatomist - dissected bodies of executed criminals.
Discovered that Galen had made errors e.g. the vena cava did not lead to the liver.
Wrote his findings in ‘On the Fabric of the Human body’ - had a huge impact (heavily copied) since it inspired other anatomists.
Impact - inspired other anatomists to continue his work, even though dissection was controversial.

Question 9

William Harvey

Answer 9

Discovered the circulation of blood (arteries and veins are linked in one system) using newly-invented pumps.
Impact - large impact since he was Charles I’s personal physician, Church was losing power and people were more open to new ideas.