What Today's Doctors Know That Doctors 500 Years Ago Did Not

Today, we live in an era of immense medical advancement and knowledge, with standards of hygiene, safety, and medical practice that were unimaginable even 500 years ago. The progress in medical science and healthcare has been monumental, driven by technological innovations, scientific research, and an understanding of disease that has dramatically transformed patient outcomes and global health.

Hygiene and Germs

One of the most significant advancements in the last 500 years is the understanding and practice of basic hygiene. Doctors and healthcare professionals now understand the importance of cleanliness and handwashing to prevent the spread of germs and harmful diseases. This was not known or practiced 500 years ago, where doctors would perform various practices, including bloodletting, that we now know are harmful and unnecessary. Simple practices like washing hands have become a critical standard in healthcare, essential to preventing infections and maintaining patient safety.

Medical Knowledge 1517 vs 2017

Focusing on the year 1517, the medical world was in a transitional period. It was a time marked by the end of the medieval period, the beginning of the Renaissance, and the rise of individualism and scientific inquiry. This era saw significant changes, but medical knowledge was still far from what we know today.

Life Expectancy and Hygiene

In 1517, life expectancy at birth was short, hovering around 30-35 years, and many children failed to make it past their first few years. However, if a person managed to survive to 21, their life expectancy could increase significantly to 65-70 years. Only a few had access to knowledge and resources, while most still lived in the dark ages of medicine, far from the advancements that would come in the centuries to follow.

Advancements in Understanding

Despite the limited knowledge, there were already some significant medical advancements. Knowledge of anatomy, for instance, was growing, thanks to the work of Leonardo da Vinci and others. His 750 anatomical drawings provided a significant insight into the human body. However, much of this knowledge was still incomplete, and many key systems, such as the circulatory and digestive systems, were not fully understood.

Notions of Disease and Contagion

Many diseases, known today as plague, malaria, and syphilis, were already recognized, often by different names, and many had a rudimentary understanding of contagion and contagion control. For example, the practice of quarantine had been used to prevent the spread of disease. However, the germ theory, which would revolutionize medicine, was not yet understood. No one knew about germs, viruses, or the mechanisms of disease spread.

Breakthroughs in Surgery

There were also early breakthroughs in surgery. Ambroise Pare, known as the father of surgery, was just a child in 1517, but he would go on to make significant contributions to the field. He introduced the concept of ligation to control bleeding during amputations, a revolutionary step from the previous practice of using hot pitch to cauterize wounds with swords. By 1553, he was working at the renowned Hotel Dieu hospital in Paris, which still operates today, showcasing the continuation of medical progress.

Medicinal Discoveries

Medicinal discoveries also played a role in the evolution of medicine. Thanks to the explorations by Christopher Columbus, quinine, a powerful antimalarial, became known. Some alkaloids and coca leaves, which would later become cocaine, were also discovered. However, the understanding and use of these substances were incredibly rudimentary, and modern anesthesia and analgesia were unknown, with the use of snow and ice being a primitive form of numbing.

Challenges and Limitations

The challenges of the time were numerous, with a lack of sophisticated medical equipment like telescopes, microscopes, and photography. The germ theory and concepts of cell biology and immunology were still centuries away. In addition, the human understanding of cancer was quite limited, referred to more as a deformity that killed rather than the complex biological phenomenon it is today.

Conclusion

The journey from 1517 to 2017 is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Today's doctors have access to an incredible wealth of information and advanced technologies that have transformed the practice of medicine. From the basics of hygiene to the complex science of genetics and immunology, the progress in medical knowledge over the past five centuries is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As we look to the future, the advancements and insights we have gained will continue to shape the practice of medicine, bringing us closer to a world where every person can access high-quality healthcare.