"Both a study of medicine throughout history as well as a multidisciplinary field of study that seeks to explore and understand medical practices, both past and present, throughout human societies."
Study of medical practices beginning from the late 19th century to present times.
Hippocrates and Ancient Greek Medicine: The origins of Western medicine, including the development of Hippocratic medicine and its influence on modern medical ethics.
The Islamic Golden Age: An era of significant advances in medicine and surgery in the Muslim world, including the contributions of figures such as Al-Razi and Ibn Sina.
The Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution: How new scientific approaches in fields like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology revolutionized medicine and paved the way for modern medical practices.
Germ Theory and Infection Control: The development of the idea that microorganisms cause diseases, and the advances in strategies to prevent and treat infections.
Public Health and Epidemiology: The study of the health throughout populations, including the development of public health policies and the identification and control of epidemics.
Surgery and Anesthesia: The evolution of surgical techniques and practices, as well as the development of anesthesia and pain management.
Pharmacology and Drug Development: The study of drugs and their effects on the body, including the development of new drugs and the regulation of pharmaceuticals.
Medical Ethics and Bioethics: The principles and dilemmas involved in the practice of medicine, including issues around patient autonomy, confidentiality, and ethical issues in medical research.
Mental Health and Psychiatry: The study of mental disorders and the development of psychiatric treatments and approaches.
Alternative Medicine and Complementary Therapies: The use of non-traditional medical approaches or treatments, such as acupuncture, massage, or herbal remedies.
Allopathic Medicine: The mainstream medicine practiced today, which treats symptoms and diseases using drugs, surgery, and other interventions.
Ayurvedic Medicine: An ancient system of medicine from India that uses natural remedies, including herbs, spices, and oils, to promote health and prevent illness.
Chiropractic Medicine: A system of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders.
Homeopathic Medicine: A system of medicine that uses highly diluted substances to treat symptoms of illnesses.
Naturopathic Medicine: An alternative system of medicine that uses natural remedies such as herbs, nutrition, and exercise to prevent and treat diseases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: An ancient system of medicine that uses acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy to balance the body's energy.
Osteopathic Medicine: A type of medicine that emphasizes the importance of the musculoskeletal system in maintaining health and treating illness.
Functional Medicine: A personalized approach to medicine that looks at the root cause of a health problem rather than just treating the symptoms.
Integrative Medicine: A type of medicine that combines traditional medical treatments with complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and massage, to promote healing.
Anthroposophic Medicine: A system of medicine that emphasizes the connection between the physical body, the mind, and the spirit.
Christian Science Healing: A type of spiritual healing that combines prayer and the study of the Bible to heal physical and mental illnesses.
Energy Medicine: A type of medicine that uses energy fields to treat physical and emotional ailments.
Holistic Medicine: A type of medicine that treats the whole person, including physical, emotional, and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.
Environmental Medicine: A type of medicine that focuses on how environmental factors, such as pollution and toxins, affect human health.
Regenerative Medicine: A type of medicine that uses stem cells, gene therapy, and tissue engineering to repair or regrow damaged tissues and organs.
"Medical historians often draw from other humanities fields of study including economics, health sciences, sociology, and politics to better understand the institutions, practices, people, professions, and social systems that have shaped medicine."
"When a period which predates or lacks written sources regarding medicine, information is instead drawn from archaeological sources."
"Early medical traditions include those of Babylon, China, Egypt, and India."
"Invention of the microscope was a consequence of improved understanding, during the Renaissance."
"Prior to the 19th century, humorism (also known as humoralism) was thought to explain the cause of disease, but it was gradually replaced by the germ theory of disease."
"Military doctors advanced the methods of trauma treatment and surgery."
"Public health measures were developed especially in the 19th century as the rapid growth of cities required systematic sanitary measures."
"Advanced research centers opened in the early 20th century, often connected with major hospitals."
"The mid-20th century was characterized by new biological treatments, such as antibiotics."
"These advancements, along with developments in chemistry, genetics, and radiography led to modern medicine."
"Medicine was heavily professionalized in the 20th century."
"New careers opened to women as nurses (from the 1870s) and as physicians (especially after 1970)."
"This field tracks the evolution of human societies' approach to health, illness, and injury ranging from prehistory to the modern day."
"The study and documentation of the evolution of medical treatments, practices, and knowledge over time."
"Prior to the 19th century, humorism (also known as humoralism) was thought to explain the cause of disease but it was gradually replaced by the germ theory of disease."
"These advancements, along with developments in chemistry, genetics, and radiography led to modern medicine."
"Public health measures were developed especially in the 19th century as the rapid growth of cities required systematic sanitary measures."
"New careers opened to women as nurses (from the 1870s) and as physicians (especially after 1970)."
"Prior to the 19th century, humorism (also known as humoralism) was thought to explain the cause of disease but it was gradually replaced by the germ theory of disease, leading to effective treatments and even cures for many infectious diseases."