Renaissance medicine 1500-1700 Flashcards
How much had changed in the understanding of the causes of illness from the middle ages?
Not a lot had changed as there were still religious beliefs, astrological reasons and miasma (which became more popular by the 1600s). However the Theory of the Four Humours was challenged by Thomas Sydenham but still believed in.
How much had surgery changed from the middle ages?
Very little changed with barber surgeons doing the surgery. Paré made some changes to the treatment of wounds and used ligatures (stitches) rather than cauterising (burning a wound to stop it bleeding).
How much had treatment of illness changed from the middle ages?
Very little changed from Medieval times: herbal remedies, apothecaries and bleeding continued and prayer was still common. Supernatural treatment continued as people believed that being touched by the king could also cure diseases such as scrofula (TB).
How much had prevention of illness changed from the middle ages through to the great plague?
Very little changed: doctors would still advise patients to follow a Regimen Sanitatis and people would try to avoid breathing bad air (miasma).
During the Great Plague, though, the government and local councils were more involved: putting a red ‘X’ on doors, banning large gatherings of people such as theatres, cleaning the streets and using watchmen to guard plague victims’ houses.
How much had Vesalius’ knowledge of anatomy change the Renaissance scientific discoveries?
Vesalius showed how Galen had made mistakes. He proved the human jawbone has only one bone and that there are no holes in the heart’s septum. He wrote the ‘Fabric of the Human Body’ in 1543 which contained superb drawings by some of the best Renaissance artists. His writings influenced physicians all over Europe but the Catholic Church was very angry.
How much had William Harvey’s knowledge of anatomy change the Renaissance scientific discoveries?
William Harvey showed Galen had made mistakes. He proved the heart acts as a pump and blood is constantly being circulated around the body. He proved this by dissecting frogs, dissecting criminals’ bodies and by pushing wires down veins to show there were valves in the veins that helped the blood flow. He published this in his book ‘On the Movement of the Heart and the Blood in Animals’.
