Activity: Development of Science and Technology Across Time

Medicine, Health and Wellness Technology

as reported by:
Baguio, Arcelie
Lleno, Mcdaryl
Roan, Angelica Nicole

a. Prehistoric Time and Ancient World (2000 B.C. – 699 A.D.)

Description:
This is the period before recorded history. Moreover, the discoveries in this period are
mostly not documented or published. Prehistoric time refers to the era before civilization
and system of writing was introduced. [history – written accounts]. Ancient World refers to
the period where civilization began and technology slowly emerges.1

Technology:

Herophilus of Chalcedon – appeared on 288 BC constructed a portable power

clock and to measure the pulse of patients.

Syringe – also known as “pyulkos” which is used to drain pus

from pimples and wound. This was traced way back 280 BC
by Ctesibius.

Spoon of Diokles – used to

extract arrow and darts from
the body. This tool helped
King Philip II prevent facial
deformity by having been able to extract thrusted arrows and darts
brought by Siege of Methone at that time.

Hippocratic Bench – This tool was developed by

Hippocrates to cure spinal distortions and to correct bone
settings. This device became the foundation of devices in
the modern orthopedics.

1
http://www.csun.edu/~rlc31920/documents/History%20303/Prehistory_vs_Ancient_History.pdf
 Tampons – Disposable tampons were made of papyrus according to Ancient Egyptian
medicine. On the other hand, Ancient greeks developed their tampons using a lint
wrapped in a piece of wood. This was recorded by Hippocrated on the fifth century B.C. 2

b. Middle Ages and Renaissance (700 – 1449)

Description: Middle Ages also known as Medieval Period were mostly not yet geared
toward scientific method. This period were still full of superstitions and quackery. This is
an uncertain time for the practice of medicine.3

Technology:

Quarantine – This is a place where people with contagious disease are kept for diagnosis
and treatment. This also refers to the process of separating persons suspected of
contagious disease such as Black Death during that time. . In the year 1377 the city of
Ragusa (now known as Dubrovnik) issued orders to combat the plague that included
making arriving ships wait 30 days in the harbour before docking, so that authorities could
be sure no one was infected. For land travellers this period was expanded to 40 days (in
Italian quaranta). The success of these measures led to it being used in other parts of Italy
and Europe by the end of the Middle Ages.

Greek method of Ligature – Ambroise Pare developed this method that improved survival
rates with the use of thread to clise open wounds

Dental Amalgams - One of the most important contributions to

medicine from medieval China was to creation of amalgams for
dental procedures. A text from the year 659 details the first use of
a substance for tooth fillings, which was made up of silver and tin.
The process was not used in Europe until the 16th century. 4

c. Scientific Revolution (1450 – 1699)

Description: Renaissance prompt different people to think and formulate ideas. In this age,
information are easily disseminated and examined. Collaboration and Critique of scientific
ideas started during this period. 5

Technology:

Microscope – Scientists used microscope to investigate tiny organisms or other units.

Robert Hooke discovered the cell while antoni van Leeuowenhoek used the tool to
observe tiny life forms.6

2
http://www.hellenicaworld.com/Greece/Technology/en/MedicalInventions.html
3
http://www.dosespot.com/medicine-and-health-in-the-middle-ages
4
www.medievalists.net/2015/11/top-10-medical-advances-from-the-middle-ages
5
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-worldhistory/chapter/the-scientific-revolution/
6
https://prezi.com/o7uuyvhx3kmq/advancements-in-medicine-during-the-scientific-revolution/
 Thermometer – The first thermometer were traced back in 1593 by Galileo
Galilei. This is essential in measuring body’s temperature.7

d. Age of Enlightenment (1700- 1799)

Description: This is a modern era also refers to intellectual movement developed in Europe
on the 18th Century. This era has optimistic outlook concerning the role and benefits of
medicine. Thinkers of this era believed that health was primarily the nature of the body
which could be maintained and protected. In turn, they were confident that, eventually all
diseases could be Eradicated with the discovery of vaccines in this era.8

Technology:

Pox Vaccination – Edward Jenner invented vaccination for small pox in 1796.9

Bi-focal eye glasses – developed glasses for far and near-sighted individuals.

e. Age of Invention (1800 – 1899)

Description: Early Victorian ideas of human physiology were central

in this period. The emergence of various medical tools during this
time made it possible to develop knowlendge on human anatomy. 10

Stethoscope – Developed in 1840 because Renee Laennec were

uncomfortable placing his ears to the body.The tool could amplify
the sounds without requiring physical contact from the examer to the
examinee. 11

Cytoscope – This tool was developed in 1894 to diagnose infection

in the urinary stem by Prof. Maximillian Carl Friedrich Nitze

f. The Time of Extremes (1900 – 1949)

Description: The Time of Extremes resulted from various discoveries in The Age of
Invention. Different people were able to apply their knowledge resulting to a more complex
discoveries and invention.

7
https://infograph.venngage.com/p/234257/important-inventions-of-the-scientific-revolution
8 https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/medicine-in-society/medicine-in-the-age-of-

enlightenment/3EB0105A9093F298A4237FF227441DC9

9
https://www.thoughtco.com/18th-century-timeline-1992474
10
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/h/health-and-medicine-in-the-19th-century/
11
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stethoscope
 Hemodialysis – The process of purifying the blood of a person. This is an effective practical
treatment for persons with renal failure. This was developed by Willem Kolf in 1945. He
was able to treat 67-year old patient who regained consciousness after being given this
treatment. This is regarded as “artificial kidney”.12

X Ray – This is the use of Electromagnetic wave to examine bone without dissection. This
was first used in 1895 and finalized in 1944 by Wilhelm Roentgen experimenting with his
cathode ray tube.13

ECG – Willem Einthoven invented the first practical electrocardiogram in 1903. Later in
1924, he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine. (GOOGLE)

g. The Technological Age (1950 – 2000)

Description: This age is a rapid change from traditional industry to an economy based
information technology. On this stage, vaccines and viruses were discovered.

Cardiac Pacemakers – This are implanted to improve breathing of

person with bradycardia or slow heartbeat.

Cloning – Dolly, the sheep, become the first animal clone ever made
from an adult somatic cell through nuclear transfer.

Ultrasound –
it was first used for clinical purposes in 1956
in Glasgow. Obstetrician Ian Donald and engineer Tom
Brown developed the first prototype systems based on an instrument
used to detect industrial flaws in ships.

Computed Tomography – It was invented on 1972 by Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan

Cormack which made them receive the Nobel Prize for Medicine.
This was used to diagnose small bowel, colon and other internal organs for unexplained
pain. (Google)

MRI – It was invented on 1977. This is used to create imahes of human body using
principle of magbetic resonance.

h. The 21st Century (2000 – present)

12
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemodialysis#History
13
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/h/health-and-medicine-in-the-19th-century/
 Description: This is also called the Information and Communication Age. Vast amount of
information can be provided with efficiency. The world is totally reliant on the information
and communication in order to develop science and technology.14

Human Genome Project – The team determine the chemical

sequence of DNA in a human body.

Telesurgery – Jacques Marerscaux

performed the first robot-controlled
surgery. He was in New York, USA and
the robot were in Strasbourg, France15

Colored xray -

MARS large bore spectral scanner accurate 3D models of whatever it sets eyes on,
allowing doctors to explore the insides of a patient’s body without picking up a scalpel.

14
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/The_Information_Age/The_Digital_and_ICT_Revolutions
15
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/medicine/modern-medicine.php