Advancements 18th and 19th century physicians made discoveries that would revolutionize medicine to this day. Technology of the microscope led to better understanding of tissues and cells of the body (Histology and Cytology). Paved a major path for scientists and physicians. Techniques Used for Treatment Bleeding Technique was used for ANY ailment and was a very dangerous treatment. Risks: Lack of anatomical knowledge got in the way and physicians would sometimes sever arteries. Cuts would often become infected. Purging Technique used for ailments of the stomach and canal.
Caused evacuation from the bowels and was used to free suspended matter. Commonly done by drinking a special liquid. Theories of 18 and th 19 Century Physicians th Cell Theory Created by Robert Hooke, through the examination of dead plant cells. Stated that “All living things are composed of cells, that cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things, and that all cells are produced from other cells. ” Cell Theory Produced the idea of biological reasoning such as fertilization and explained how diseases such as Cancer are caused due to cell mutations.
Germ Theory The realization that diseases were spread by contagion. Many Scientists believed that disease causing germs came from spontaneous generation, the production of living organisms from nonliving organisms. -This idea persisted throughout the 19th century. Germ Theory The Greeks believed that diseases such as the plague and Cholera were caused by “foul smelling miasmas”, air containing particles of rotting matter. -They believed poor sanitation led to this. -Hygiene recognized as a problem. *
Physician John Snow soon traced Cholera to drinking water contaminated by sewage. Germ Theory Louis Pasteur believed that microorganisms were responsible for infectious diseases in humans and animals. He was able to develop various vaccines for different types of diseases by harvesting tissues from animals that had died because of them. Epidemics of the 18 and 19th Century th Cholera A bacterial disease Symptoms included diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. The disease died down over time due to standards of living being higher and the improvement of sanitation. Smallpox A highly contagious disease sprouting from the Variola virus.
Spread through inhaling droplets discharged from the nose and mouth. Dr. Benjamin Rush was a large advocate of these techniques, and as a result many of his patients died. Smallpox Symptoms – Fever, Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, Body aches. – The disease would start as a rash that would eventually cover the whole body, including eyes. The rash would then turn to painful puss filled sores. – Survivors would commonly be covered with scars. Yellow Fever First appeared in Philadelphia in the late 17th century.
Killed 10% of the population while thousands of others fled the city. Refugees traveling from the Caribbean carried Yellow Fever with them. Yellow Fever The city suffered from very hot and dry weather resulting in the decline of water giving mosquitoes a place to nest and burrow. Mosquitoes would bite an infected person and then bite a healthy person spreading the disease. Yellow Fever Dr. Benjamin Rush advised the people of the city to flee. He led a “fever” hospital that would only treat people with the disease. The cure proved to be elusive. Midwifery Job for women that included assistance during childbirth.
Physicians began to assist in this area of treatment and eventually would deliver babies on their own. Women had less job opportunity as time went on and childbirth care was not to be given unless it were by a trained physician. Poor couples could not afford Physicians. Citations http://www. planetseed. com/relatedarticle/rise-scientific-medicinethe -nineteenthcentury Miller, Neil Z. “Medicine in the 19th Century | History of Medicine | PlanetSEED. “
Medicine in the 19th Century | History of Medicine | PlanetSEED. N. p. , n. d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. http://www.thinktwice. com/smallpox. htm “Smallpox and Smallpox Vaccines: Adverse Reactions. Thinktwice! ” Smallpox and Smallpox Vaccines: Adverse Reactions. Thinktwice! N. p. , n. d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. http://ocp. hul. harvard. edu/contagion/ cholera. html”Cholera Epidemics in the 19th Century. ” Open Collections Program: Contagion,. N. p. , n. d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014. http://www. habsburger. net/en/chapter/popular-medical-treatments-c upping-bleeding-and-purging “Popular Medical Treatments – Cupping, Bleeding and Purging. ” Die Welt Der Habsburger. N. p. , n. d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.