Renaissance medicine Flashcards
Who published ‘On the Fabric of the Human Body’ and in what year?
Andreas Vesalius in 1543
This work showcased accurate pictures of the human body and detailed explanations.
What significant corrections did Vesalius make regarding Galen’s mistakes?
Corrected over 300 mistakes, including that the human jaw is one part, not two; men do not have fewer ribs than women
These corrections challenged the accepted medical knowledge of the time.
What practice did Vesalius encourage among his students?
Carrying out dissections themselves
This was a shift towards hands-on learning in anatomy.
Who discovered the circulation of blood and when was it published?
William Harvey; published in 1628
His findings contradicted Galen’s belief that blood was made in the liver.
What was the title of Harvey’s book?
An Anatomical Account of the motion of the heart and blood in animals
This work was based on research and experimentation.
When did Harvey’s ideas appear in textbooks?
1673
His concepts were not immediately accepted after publication.
What major event did Henry VIII carry out that affected hospitals?
Dissolved the monasteries in England
This led to the closure of many hospitals that had been run by monks.
What type of facilities emerged to care for those with serious diseases?
Pest Houses
These facilities cared for people with contagious diseases who were not admitted into general hospitals.
What new health challenges arose during the Renaissance?
New diseases from the ‘New World’ and new remedies
This period saw an influx of diseases and potential treatments.
What was one aspect of continuity in medical practices during the Renaissance?
Old remedies still used to treat the sick
Traditional treatments persisted despite new ideas.
What was still seen as a major cause of disease during this period?
Miasma
This belief persisted even as new understandings of disease emerged.
In times of crisis, what did people often revert to regarding disease?
Old ideas about disease and praying to God for forgiveness
This reflected a reliance on traditional beliefs during stressful times.
Who primarily carried out care in homes during the Renaissance?
The woman of the house
Women’s roles in caregiving were crucial during this time.
What treatment concept was still believed in during the Renaissance?
Transference as a form of treatment
This idea involved the transfer of illness from one person to another.
What type of remedies were widely used during this period?
Herbal remedies
Apothecaries operated and provided these traditional treatments.
What were quacks known for during the Renaissance?
Offering treatments they claimed would cure illness without proof or knowledge
This reflects the lack of regulation and understanding in medical practices.
What was one common belief about the cause of the Great Plague?
Miasma or a Punishment from God
Astrology was also blamed in some cases.
What did people recognize as a likely connection to disease during the Great Plague?
Dirt and disease
Most deaths occurred in the direst areas.
What role did ‘women searchers’ play during the Great Plague?
Identified plague victims and noted the plague symptoms
They were crucial in recognizing and documenting cases.
What measure was taken regarding victims of the plague?
Victims were locked up in their houses and guarded by watchmen
This was to prevent the spread of the disease.
What were people ordered to do to help prevent the spread of the Great Plague?
Clean the streets
This was part of the efforts to reduce dirt and disease.
What was the most common treatment for the Great Plague?
Prayer/mass
People believed in spiritual healing during times of crisis.
What was a unique method used to treat the air during the Great Plague?
Threw herbs into the air
This was believed to clean the air.
True or False: People during the Great Plague often reverted to old forms of treatment in times of crisis.
True
This indicates a reliance on traditional methods when faced with emergencies.
Who was Thomas Sydenham?
An influential physician known as the ‘English Hippocrates’ for his patient observation approach.
Sydenham emphasized understanding patients rather than solely relying on medical texts.
What is the title of Thomas Sydenham’s notable work?
Observations Medicae
This book was released in 1676 and contributed significantly to the classification of diseases.
What significant contribution did Sydenham make in his book?
He classified diseases into different groups.
This classification helped in the understanding and treatment of various illnesses.
What diseases did Sydenham recognize as being different?
Measles and scarlet fever.
This distinction was important for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
