Medicine Through Time (c.1500-c.1700 - Renaissance Period)

Question 1

State 3 elements of change in the cause of disease in the Renaissance period?

Answer 1

1. Scientists such as Sydenham rejected the theories of Galen and Hippocrates
2. Fewer people believed in supernatural causes of disease
3. With the declining power of the Church in the reformation, less people believed God caused diseases

Question 2

State 4 elements of continuity in the cause of disease in the Renaissance period?

Answer 2

1. Most physicians and people still thought the Four humours caused disease. E.g King Charles II was diagnosed using them in 1685
2. Jupiter and Saturn aligning in 1664 was used to blame for the Great Plague by common people
3. During the Great Plague people blamed God
4. Miasma

Question 3

When was the Royal Society founded and where?

Answer 3

In 1660 at Gresham College, London

Question 4

What were the aims of the Royal Society?

Answer 4

1. To carry out experiments to further the understanding of science
2. To encourage debate, challenge old ideas and search for new theories and ideas

Question 5

What did Charles II do for the Royal Society?

Answer 5

In 1662, he gave the society a Royal Charter, meaning it had support from high places and was respected

Question 6

What 3 things happened in 1665, that were key events in the Royal Society?

Answer 6

1. First scientific journal ‘Philosophical Transactions’ was published.
2. Robert Hooke uses microscopes to study and draw small animals and plants in detail
3. Lower completes the first ever experimental blood transfusion

Question 7

What key event happened in 1683 in the Royal Society?

Answer 7

Leeuwenhoek sees animalcules (bacteria) under the microscope for the first time, but doesn’t understand them

Question 8

Why was the Royal Society so important?

Answer 8

1. The society printed scientists books and journals, helping spread ideas.
2. ‘Philosophical Transactions’ contained clear ‘evidence’ or science and challenged existing ideas
3. The best scientists of the time worked together to share and research ideas

Question 9

When did Sydenham release his book and why was it important?

Answer 9

In 1676, Sydenham released Observationes Medicae, a groundbreaking book which was used for over 200 years in training and treatment

Question 10

What were Sydenham’s key ideas (that were in his book)?

Answer 10

• doctors must rely on their own observation and practical experience rather than books to ensure a good diagnosis is made
• he stated that the Four Humours was completely wrong and that God did not disease

Question 11

State one change in the treatment of disease in this period?

Answer 11

Transference - a new ideas that an illness could be transferred from a patient to something else if you rubbed an object on it. E.g rubbing an onion on warts, so that the onion gets the wart

Question 12

Continuity in the treatment of disease?

Answer 12

1. Bleeding and purging. Even King Charles II was bled and purged
2. King’s touch, as he was close to God. 92,000 people visited him believing he could cure the skin disease, scrofula

Question 13

Changes in preventing disease?

Answer 13

1. Bathing was less popular due to the spread of syphilis in bath houses
2. More efforts were made to remove miasma e.g. cleaning rubbish from the streets and removing sewage

Question 14

Continuity in preventing disease?

Answer 14

1. People still believed in miasma and wearing sweet smelling herbs
2. Superstitious ideas and prayer remained popular
3. Regimen sanitatis

Question 15

Change in hospital care

Answer 15

you could expect some treatment e.g.
1. a good diet of healthy foods
2. visit from a physician who would observe and suggest treatment
3. medication provided from hospital apothecary