Today in society the position of medicine is appreciated indisputably high: developed science provides not only high survival, but also the best quality of life …

History, or a brief excursion in medicine of the past

Today in society the position of medicine is appreciated indisputably highly: developed science provides not only high survival, but also the best quality of life of a modern person. To the Day of the Medical Worker, who this year falls on June 20, I want to talk about the long, difficult, but extremely interesting history of the formation of one of the most important sciences of modern science.

Moreover, much in the field of medical care is often criticized both abroad and in our country, you need to admit: Modern medicine works wonders. But it was not always so.

First steps to science

The history of the development of medicine originates from the origin of ancient civilizations. The center of the first "medical technologies" became ancient China. Already in 770-476, the book "Nay-Jing" appears before our era. Of course, today the Reader looks ridiculous and naive and does not pull the title of "medical encyclopedia". However, despite the semi-infantastic and fabulous legends, the book is quite a lot of scientific information on the use of anesthesia when conducting operational intervention, contains information about the need for sanitary processing during the operation and calls on compliance with hygiene rules. The Chinese, (as Indians, Greeks and Egyptians) began to use the mold in the treatment of purulent wounds and skin complications, long before the opening of antibiotics. Moreover: here, in ancient China, another thousand years before our era, there are vaccinations from smallpox! A special merit must be recognized by the relative prevalence and availability of medicine for a simple population.

In ancient Egypt, they treated their teeth, also carried out operations using an anesthetic anesthesia, and scientists of that civilization brought the science of healing to other states. So, medicine of ancient Greece, based on mythology, gets development with the arrival of Egyptian Asclepia. All his "descendants" – priests – were ancient Greek physicians. Asclepiad or Eskulapses were very closed from society: the science of medicine was transferred for a long time inherited, from his father to his son, which practically did not give her any development. However, in about the fourth century BC. e. The Peloponess War happened, which had civilian character. War made troubles, and then the coup in the life of the Greeks. This led to the spread of new medical exercises and schools among the elite.

They first spoke about the constitutional features of the organism, which should be relying when selecting treatment methods. It was in ancient Greece that first appreciated the benefit of physical activity.Medical gymnastics appeared to develop the joints and the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, philosophical schools received an impetus to development: the science of “natural science” appeared. In institutions, scientists-philosophers first "invented" methods of treatment, and then put them into practice. Representatives of the educated population could receive knowledge in such schools. The field of medicine became respected in the state: the work of scientists began to be paid from the treasury.

However, we still consider the first "doctor" Hippocrates (about 460 – 370 BC). And there is a reason. It was he who carefully and carefully collected all the previous teachings, knowledge and experiences of schools, combining them into a science of a qualitatively new level. He treated inflammatory processes, cleaned purulent wounds, studied ailments at the diagnostic level (examination, listening, tapping, patient complaints). It is also known that Hippocrates learned to diagnose diabetes. He tasted the patient's urine and, with a sweetish aftertaste, confirmed the diagnosis. Yes, the method is rather harsh, but, probably, the Greek doctor was just a very enthusiastic specialist.

Unfortunately, Ancient Greece fell into decline in the 4th-3rd centuries BC. But science was inherited by Alexandria. Due to the geographical location of the state at the junctions of all civilizations of that time, science began to develop especially actively.

However, it must be admitted that the medicine of the twentieth century suffered its scientific breakthrough at the cost of the Second World War.

Alexandria must be recognized as the official founder of pathological anatomy. Here, for the first time, the autopsy and study of corpses is recognized as a continuation of medicine. Now scientists are not poisoned; are not equated with gravediggers or shameful outcast executioners. Doctors are paid state salaries here. Pathologist Herophilus (about 335 BC), thanks to the autopsy of corpses, reveals many hitherto unexplored systems and organs. He singled out nerves, scientifically proving that they have nothing to do with tendons. The scientist studied the structure of the brain quite deeply – its shell, the fourth ventricle. It was Herophilus who first put forward the hypothesis of the brain as the center of the nervous system. In addition, it was in Alexandria that they first learned how to tie up large vessels, stopping heavy massive bleeding. It was thanks to this that the survival rate of patients increased: diseased limbs were amputated in a timely manner, thus saving life.

Ancient Roman medicine followed its own path. A busy life, a love of excess, heavy opiates and alkaloids, apparently played a role in the directions of medicine. This is where the scientist stands out. Asklepiades (about 130 BC). It can be said that he becomes a pioneer in psychotherapy. The scientist-philosopher was convinced that the root of evil and disease lies in the violation of mental balance. Asklepiades adhered to the Epicurean teachings. By the way, myself Epicurus, despite the common misconception, recommended not to be fed up with pleasures, but on the contrary: to learn to be content with little. Therefore, Asklepiades built pleasant emotions and sensations into the basis of treatment. A little later, the Pneumatic School appeared. The idea of ​​any sickness as a type of mental disorder received further "psychotherapeutic" development.

UNSTABLE TIME

At the beginning of our era, schools and medical teachings begin to fade in the West. However, approximately in the middle of the new era, the “palm tree” is intercepted by Muslim states and the countries of the Middle East. Religion played an important role in the development of medical teachings: Islam, unlike Christianity, did not leave sickness and death to the “will of God”. On the contrary: Islamic teachings called for the search for drugs and medicines that could help the weakened and dying. Here, medicine received state support and patronage from the rulers. Thanks to this, Eastern doctors were able not only to preserve the experience of their Western counterparts, but also to add to the list of healing knowledge and medicines. Of the scientists of the Muslim world, it is especially worth highlighting Avicenna (Afshan near Bukhara, August 16, 980 – Hamadan, June 18, 1037) – a scientist, court physician of the Samandian emirs. During his life, the hardworking philosopher wrote more than 450 works of various scientific orientations. More than ten of them belonged to the field of medicine. It is also interesting with what creative approach the scientist created his works. Many are written in the poetic genre. Truly, the East is a delicate matter!

Meanwhile, Europe is experiencing a severe decline: the new theory of scholasticism and theology leaves practically no flight for scientists to fantasize and work. Somewhere in Germany, England, France (in monasteries and small institutions) rare doctors work. Among them are healers and monks. The first attempts to set up experiments appear. But God forbid the doctors of Medieval Europe at least keep the discoveries made earlier! Scientific works were burned and destroyed, the church persecuted scientists and executed them as magicians and witches.

NEW ROUND AND MODERN TECHNOLOGIES

The Renaissance (Renaissance) revived the medicine of Europe: around the 17th-18th centuries, they learned to treat smallpox, malaria, and correct the state of health with syphilis. A new round of development of medicine is accompanied by scientific and experimental studies on animals.

In the 19th century, anesthesia was approved in Western countries, new drugs for symptomatic treatment appeared. Vaccination is carried out at the state levels. This is done to prevent outbreaks of epidemics that previously mowed down entire cities and towns. At the beginning of the 20th century, blood transfusion began to be practiced.

The 20th century, after a good start, is pulling ahead. During this time, medicine becomes a science of social significance. Gradually there is an intergrowth of medicine with chemistry and physics.The twentieth century achieves unprecedented progress: there are new drugs that are produced on an industrial scale. In the 1920s, a British scientist Alexander Fleming discovers mold-based antibiotics. A little later, they will be brought into a stable formula. Oxford Scholars – howardo flory and Ernst Chen – managed to improve the survival of patients with severe blood infections thanks to their discovery: they removed the salt of penicillin acid by synthetic means.

However, it must be admitted that the medicine of the twentieth century suffered its scientific breakthrough at the cost of the Second World War. It was the scientists of the Third Reich, having the opportunity to conduct experiments on people from concentration camps, instead of laboratory animals, who were able to accelerate the development of modern technologies. Chemo-, radiation, hormonal therapy have now become official methods of treating cancer patients. Previously, such patients were considered hopeless.

P.S

Analyzing the history of the emergence and development of medicine as a science, it should be noted that almost everything in this area has been achieved not "thanks" but "despite". Scientists had to fight with morality, morality, stubbornness, anachronisms, retrograde, mentality; carry out their experiments clandestinely, risk their lives and their own health. And all in order to guarantee the survival of their species for millennia to come. Genetic engineering promises a great future today. But even now we can safely say that there are no incurable diseases left. Of course, with a reservation for timely diagnosis and proper treatment. So neither diarrhea nor scrofula is now definitely threatening our lives. For which we thank all medical workers – past and present. And God bless the doctors of the future. Happy holiday, dear doctors!