1. The History of Medicine
Principles of Health Science

2. History of Medicine Question: How long has disease been around?
Arthritis (also called “cave gout”) was found in dinosaurs and prehistoric bears
Fractures on bones were common

3. History of Medicine
Question: What were some diseases in primitive man (and woman)?
Tuberculosis and parasite infestations (small dark pin holes in vertebrae and skull)
Under calcified bones caused by poor nutrition
Eroded and decayed teeth caused from improper diet and gingivitis and periodontitis(gum disease)
Women died in difficult childbirth (skeletal remains found with fetal remains still in pelvis)
They had to nurse their babies and the best food went to men so they had weak immune systems

5. History of Medicine
Question: How did prehistoric man deal with illness?
We aren’t sure, but we can guess from:
*cave drawings
*bony remains and artifacts
*comparison to primitive societies today (religion, music and medical treatment mingled together)

6. Shaman History of Medicine Question: Who were the ancient healers?
(Witch doctors or healers)
Shaman

7. History of Medicine
Question: What were their techniques and tools of their trade?
Techniques: chanting, praying, hallucinogenic trances (sometimes it meant frightening evil spirits from patients and then casting it into a cockroach and stomping on it; Sucking and vomiting-shaman would inhale large amounts of tobacco smoke until nauseated and then right before vomiting with suck evil spirits out of patient and vomit)
Tools: facial and body paints and medical bags which held dried plants, herbs, sticks, sucking tubes, sharpened animal bones, and even human scrotum!

8. History of Medicine
Question: How did primitive societies regard sick or disabled people?
Cherokees and Navahos- treated with kindness and acceptance; North American Indians were in awe of those that survived and treated them like gods
Eskimos- set out old and sickly in unsheltered areas to die
Other groups- killed and ate them (to preserve life force of tribe)

9. History of Medicine
Question: How did primitive people regard mentally ill?
Some were shunned- they were thought to carry evil spirits
Eskimos and Siberian peoples that this was a sign of a shaman

10. History of Medicine Question: How did primitives deal with injuries?
Sewed up cuts (lacerations) with strips of animal tendon and needles made from bone
Made wood splints and casts from hardened hides
Trepanation- drilled hole in skull to “let out evil spirits”

12. History of Medicine
Question: What medicines were available to treat disease and disorders?
Drug
Plant Source
Uses
Digitalis
Foxglove
Slows heart
Quinine
Bark of cinchona tree
Helps with malaria; controls fever
Belladonna/ Atropine
Poisonous nightshade plant
Relieves muscle spasms
Morphine/ Opium
Poppy
Pain relief
Acetylsalicylic Acid
Bark of willow tree
Pain relief; Fever
Medical Marijuana
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabis