The Scientific Revolution and Medicine 1450-1700

by Kelly, Kate

• ISBN13: 9780816072071
• ISBN10: 0816072078
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-10-01
• Publisher: FACTS ON FILE INC

Summary

The Middle Ages marked a time when religion and superstition dominated all thinking and stalled the pursuit of new ideas. The questioning of everything from religious doctrines to styles of government to the understanding of the way the world works led to many significant developments, most notably the scientific method. This method was a process for experimentation that was used to explore observations and answer questions. This new methodology led to great developments in the fields of astronomy, physics, biology, and anatomy.

Author Biography

Kate Kelly is the author of more than 30 books, including That's Not In My Science Book!, a layperson's guide to complex scientific concepts, and has collaborated on works on medical topics such as heart disease, macular degeneration, allergies, and asthma. Kelly has been quoted in magazines ranging from Time to Good Housekeeping and in newspapers such as the Washington Post, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. viii
Acknowledgments	p. xii
Introduction	p. xiii
Medicine: Ready For A New Start	p. 1
Galenic Medicine Still Prevails	p. 4
Two Other Practices of the Day	p. 6
Paracelsus Leads the Way	p. 8
New Discoveries Challenge Old Ideas	p. 11
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): Contributions to Medical Knowledge	p. 13
An Understanding of Proportions	p. 18
How the Invention of the Printing Press Contributed to Medicine	p. 19
Conclusion	p. 20
Amazing Advances In Anatomy	p. 21
Vesalius and What He Learned about the Structure of the Human Body	p. 23
De humani corporis fabrica libri septum	p. 26
Serveto Recognizes Pulmonary Circulation	p. 28
Realdo Colombo Further Illuminates the Blood	p. 30
Falloppio and His Discoveries	p. 31
Bartolomeo Eustachio: Founder of Modern Anatomy	p. 33
Santorio and the Body as Machine	p. 36
Conclusion	p. 38
Amazing Advances In Surgery	p. 39
The Father of Modern Surgery	p. 41
A Change in Weaponry Necessitates a Change in Wound Care	p. 43
Paré Implements Many Advances	p. 46
Debunking Popular Medicines of the Day	p. 48
Other Notables in the Field of Surgery	p. 48
Midwifery Is Improved	p. 54
Surgery Achieves Greater Respect	p. 56
Conclusion	p. 58
William Harvey Transforms Understanding of The Circulatory System	p. 59
Earlier Theories of the Blood (Pre-Harvey)	p. 60
An Islamic Physician Provides Other Answers	p. 62
Harvey Breaks New Ground	p. 63
Reaction to Harvey's Theories	p. 66
A Remaining Question Answered by Malpighi	p. 67
On Embryology	p. 68
The Study of Physiology Grows	p. 70
Conclusion	p. 73
The Microscope and Other Discoveries	p. 74
The Development of the Microscope	p. 76
Leeuwenhoek and His Lenses	p. 79
Robert Hooke: Forgotten Genius	p. 81
Living Things from Nowhere	p. 82
Hooke's Work in Microscopic Matters	p. 84
The Rise of Scurvy	p. 87
Smallpox Takes on New Virulence	p. 89
Conclusion	p. 91
Syphilis and What It Reveals of The Day	p. 92
Syphilis	p. 93
The Possible Origins of Syphilis	p. 95
How the Disease Came to Be Called Syphilis	p. 96
Treatment Theories	p. 99
Early Concept of Contagion	p. 100
Famous Rulers Thought to Have Had the Disease	p. 101
Public Policies to Help Reduce Syphilis	p. 102
U.S. Study of Syphilis: A Dark Chapter	p. 103
Conclusion	p. 105
The Impact of The New World on Medicine	p. 106
The New World Influences Medicine	p. 108
What the Native Americans Knew	p. 110
Trade Affects Both Sides	p. 111
Medicines from Overseas	p. 111
Opium as a Medicine	p. 114
Health Care for the Common Man	p. 117
Conclusion	p. 121
Scientific Progress on An Imperfect Path	p. 122
The English Hippocrates	p. 123
Alchemy Wanes: Ideas Such as Phrenology Take Root	p. 125
Connecting Certain Jobs to Certain Diseases	p. 126
The Foundations of Public Health	p. 129
Doctored to Death	p. 130
Sanitation during These Years	p. 132
Care of the Sick	p. 134
Conclusion	p. 135
Chronology	p. 136
Glossary	p. 139
Further Resources	p. 145
Index	p. 150
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

The Middle Ages marked a time when religion and superstition dominated all thinking and stalled the pursuit of new ideas. The questioning of everything from religious doctrines to styles of government to the understanding of the way the world works led to many significant developments, most notably the scientific method. This method was a process for experimentation that was used to explore observations and answer questions. This new methodology led to great developments in the fields of astronomy, physics, biology, and anatomy.The Scientific Revolution and Medicineexamines the scientific revolution and how it has affected future developments in medicine. This book is a vital addition to literature on the Scientific Revolution because it puts the medical discoveries of the period into perspective, providing readers with a better understanding of the accomplishments of the time. While physicians of this era did not yet know the cause of disease, they began to make advances that would be vital for medical improvements still to come. Featuring a chronology, a glossary, and an array of historical and current sources for further research, this volume is especially useful for readers in need of additional information on specific terms, topics, and developments in medical science.Chapters include:

• Medicine: Ready for a New Start
• Amazing Advances in Anatomy
• Amazing Advances in Surgery
• William Harvey Transforms Understanding of the Circulatory
• The Microscope and Other Discoveries
• Syphilis and What it Reveals of the Day
• The Impact of the New World on Medicine
• Scientific Progress on an Imperfect Path.

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Excerpted from The Scientific Revolution and Medicine, 1450-1700 by Kate Kelly
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.