Why Focus on Medical Treatments of the Past?

Why study the effects of the Belladonna flower, the four humours of the body, bloodletting, or even medieval urinalysis? Even though they are frequently described as repulsive and even terrifying by modern standards, there are still an abundance of benefits to learning about the medical procedures used in the past. The medical field has a rich and interesting history filled with accounts of how early practitioners and caregivers developed the necessary knowledge base and skills to help people with illnesses and injuries. Certainly, there have been many mistakes and mishaps along the way, from the earliest attempts to treat any physical ailment to the current effective therapies, but there have also been many forward-thinking ideas and fortunate discoveries.

Taking a step back and reflecting on the past can help us appreciate the modern conveniences of today in a world where technology permeates every aspect of our lives and we have access to a tremendous amount of information.

I think it’s important to make these juxtapositions for the following reasons:

• To recognize clear lessons from history, such as morals, values, and warning signs.
• To gain an appreciation for societal and cultural growth.
• To learn from past blunders to make improvements in the future.
• To understand how events from the past have shaped healthcare today.
• To gain insight into the ethics of care and how we interact with our patients.

For these reasons, and perhaps simply out of curiosity, I believe there is value in looking at early “technology” and how the leap was made to get to where we are now with modern medicine. Bearing this in mind, I intend to occasionally dive into ancient treatments, practices, and ethics, from Nightengale and beyond!

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