History of Medicine c1250-present
25 eLearning modules · CPD Certified · SCORM
The history of medicine from c.1250 to the present shows a shift from supernatural beliefs to scientific understanding. In medieval times, disease was often blamed on God or bad air. The Renaissance brought renewed interest in anatomy and observation. The 18th and 19th centuries saw breakthroughs like vaccination (Jenner), germ theory (Pasteur), and antiseptics (Lister). Public health reforms improved sanitation and reduced disease. In the 20th century, antibiotics, the NHS, and advanced surgery transformed care. Genetics and technology now shape modern medicine. Over time, medicine evolved from tradition and superstition to evidence-based science, improving life expectancy and global health.
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What this lesson contains
Ideas: supernatural and religious
Rational Explanations for Disease
Approaches to Prevention and Treatment
Approaches to Caring for the SickPreview not available
The Black Death, 1348–9Preview not available
Ideas: a scientific approachPreview not available
Transmission of IdeasPreview not available
Continuity in Medicine, c1250-presentPreview not available
Change in Care and TreatmentPreview not available
The Great Plague, 1665Preview not available
William HarveyPreview not available
Germ Theory and MicrobesPreview not available
Improvements in Hospital CarePreview not available
Anaesthetics and AntisepticsPreview not available
Jenner and VaccinationPreview not available
Fighting cholera in London, 1854Preview not available
Ideas: genetics and lifestylesPreview not available
Improvements in DiagnosisPreview not available
Preventing diseasePreview not available
The Development of PenicillinPreview not available
The fight against cancerPreview not available
Medical Advancements on the Western FrontPreview not available
Illnesses and Injuries on the Western FrontPreview not available
Caring for the wounded on the Western FrontPreview not available
Medical Developments in the 20th CenturyPreview not available