The
marvelous development of Medical Science that we witness today has a long and
painful story of trials behind it. In 5th century B.C., when young Hippocrates
decided to take medicine as his profession, there was a monopoly of church over
this field. The illiterate religious leaders and soothsayers were responsible
for the health of people. He was sent to the church of Aesculapius for medical
education. He observed the patients were absolutely ignored and hated there. The
profession was quite lucrative, so it was under the possession of the church.
Hippocrates then took a decision, which proved a foundation stone for the
coming generations. He, along with his other softhearted fellows, started
curing the patients. Sympathetic thinking and scientific way of working was the
sole purpose of this group of physicians. He introduced the unique and
different way of curing the diseases and soothing the patients. The inquiry
about the disease and examining its effects on the patient, the extreme care,
and preventive measures resulted in quick recovery of the patients. For the
first time in medical history, the record of the brief history of the diseases
and the patients was maintained. The mental and spiritual state of the patients
was given importance during treatment. He was of the view if the patient is
disturbed mentally and spiritually, he would feel the disease intensively. The
medicine of his time was an experimental procedure, but the care, sympathy and
winning the trust of patients made recovery of the patients very quick. It was
not only curing the diseases but also a great research process. Hippocrates and
his co physicians prepared many volumes of the brief history of the disease and
the patients. He kept in mind the environment in which the patient lived while studying
a patient and advising him the remedies. Although it was not a very big leap,
yet a step ahead to explore the new methods and ways in medical science. It was
the foundation on which later generations could build the magnificent
buildings. It was the defeat of false obsessions and the gateway for the
servants of humankind and for the curious souls.
Claudius
Galen was born in the 2nd century
and got an esteemed position in medicine regarding functioning of human body.
He was Greek by birth but went to Rome and became the Royal Physician there. Therefore,
he had much time to continue his research on anatomy and the function of different
organs of the body. The experiments on human dead bodies were banned.
Therefore, he chose gorillas for his research. He started operating them and
studying their systems on scientific basis. The main flow of his aptitude was
the anatomy. Had he not been the Royal Physician, perhaps he would not have
enough time to continue his work. He compiled many volumes based on his
research. He explained the blood circulatory system although it needed modification,
which was done afterwards, but he provided the foundation for the future
experiments. He discussed nearly everything relating to human body. He was
given high respect by the people that admitted his work even centuries after
his death. Claudius Galen’s work was considered an authority on the medical
profession. For years, his books were the part of syllabus for the young
doctors.
Andreas
Vesalius was the son of a physician born in Belgium in 1514 A.D. He
revolutionized the world of medical science. He was fascinated to see the
skeletons of living organisms. He made cats the target of his experiments when
he was a student. Once he told his father that his observations differ to that
of Claudius Galen. This was not only a small incident but also a turning point,
which decided his future in medical science. From Louvain university of Belgium
he went to Paris for higher studies. He never agreed with his teachers about
what they taught from the Galen’s volumes. He was of the view if you want to
get correct information about human body you must observe it. The information perceived
from gorillas should not be acceptable for human body. Then one night he found
a dead body and carried it to his residence. He dissected the body, went on
inspecting the internal human organs, and noted difference in details from that
of Galen. Afterward, he went on working on dead bodies which he got from somewhere
and compiled a book on his genius experiences. It was not a time to deny Galen’s
theories categorically. In the preface of his book, he paid a great tribute to
Galen and criticized those who were admitting his works without concert proves.
His knowledge was based on human body while that of Galen’s on the information
gathered from apes.
William
Harvey was the son of a rich man born in 1578 in England. He was inclined to
medicine from the very childhood. He went to well-known university of Pravda
from Cambridge where he completed his thesis on blood circulatory system in
animals and human beings. He proved the flaws in Galen’s theory of circulatory
system. He gave a diagram and showed the blood circulation. He also divided
human heart in four parts and explained everything about the circulation. He
studied the veins and arteries and gave a complete form to the system as an
expert surgeon. His contemporaries refused to accept his work but he did not face
the circumstances like Vesalius. He did not care for anybody in the way of
knowledge and handed over to humanity what he learnt.
All
of these were men of dignity who did the best for humanity. They were physicians of The Royal Families and
were free from the worries of the bread and butter. Today for the propagation
of science and technology, literature and Art, music and architecture, rather
all the fields concerning Art, we need to keep these people away from the
worries of necessities of life. If it is done by society, the peace and
prosperity will be or ultimate fate.
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