The Connection Between Early Medicine and Modern Medicine

  The Connection Between Early Medicine and Modern Medicine

The Connection Between Early Medicine and Modern Medicine

 

The Connection Between Early Medicine and Modern Medicine and Natural Remedies for Diabetes

 

Introduction

 

• Medicine is a field that has existed since the beginning of human history.

• Medicine can be defined as the collection of human efforts to understand, cure, and maintain health.

• Early humans sought to cure diseases through plants, animal products, and rituals.

• Over time, as knowledge accumulated and technologies developed, medicine has evolved into a complex, science-based field.

• Early medical practices formed the foundation of modern medicine as we know it today. This assignment explores the connections between early medicine and modern medicine.

 

01.                        Egyptian Medicine

The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in medicine.

Medical texts such as the Ebers Papyrus (1550 BC), listed about 877 diseases, their symptoms, and over 700 herbal remedies. Their early understanding of anatomy was enhanced by mummification

They knew the symptoms of diseases such as diabetes (excessive urination, thirst), but did not understand the exact causes.

 

02. Mesopotamian Medicine:

The Sumerians and Babylonians used divination and herbs to diagnose and treat diseases. They attributed the causes of illness to the stars, omens, and the wrath of the gods. They were in the habit of observing the patient's pulse, body temperature, etc.

 

03. Indian Medicine (Ayurveda)

In India, Ayurveda (Yularasaenanaya) flourished about 3000 years ago. It related the human body to the balance of the three doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (Ayavaya, Pvaivaya, Muiyaya).

Diet, herbal medicines, yoga (luzhabaya), and meditation were the main aspects of Ayurvedic treatment. In Ayurvedic texts, diabetes, also known as Madhumeka (Ayanaraanaaya), is described in detail. It was associated with symptoms such as excessive urination, sweet urine, and fatigue.

 

04. Chinese Medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine - Wuua)

Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has a history of thousands of years, aims to balance the body's energy flow (Ji - Chi).

The main methods are acupuncture (八小美), herbal medicine, tai chi (八小美), and qigong (八小美). Diabetes, also known as yao ke (八小美), was considered an imbalance of body energy caused by sweet food and stress.

 

1. Early Medicine and Its Foundations

Early medicine was largely based on observations, experiences, oral traditions, and faith-based practices. It developed without the systematic research of today's modern science.

 

01. Observational and empirical basis

Early humans and early doctors closely observed the symptoms of patients, the effects of plants and substances found in the natural environment, and their lifestyles.

 

This observational skill is seen as essential for diagnosis in modern medicine.

Many diseases and their symptoms mentioned in ancient medical texts are consistent with the descriptions given in current medicine.

 

For example,

They empirically found that the leaves of a certain plant healed wounds and the roots of another plant reduced fever. These observations were passed down orally to the next generation.

 

Symptoms such as excessive thirst , excessive hunger , and excessive urination seen in diabetic patients are clearly mentioned in early medical texts.

 

 

03. Health practices

 

Ancient civilizations had some understanding of public health measures such as clean water, sanitation, and personal hygiene.

Egyptians and Romans developed public baths and sewage systems. These early health initiatives laid the foundation for modern public health principles.

A healthy lifestyle , weight control, and dietary habits are essential in diabetes management. Ancient medical systems emphasized these lifestyle changes.

 

04. Mind-body connection

Early medical systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasized the connection between mental and physical health Modern medicine acknowledges that stress can increase blood sugar levels in diabetics, and thus mental health support becomes a part of treatment.

 

05. Surgical techniques

In early civilizations, there were skills to fix fractures, treat wounds, and in some cases perform simple surgeries.

 

This led to the development of later surgical techniques (surgery). Distinctive features of modern medicine and diabetes treatment

Although the foundations of early medicine are there, there are significant gaps between it and modern medicine. These gaps were filled by the scientific method (scientific method), technological advances (medical science), and evidence-based medicine (clinical-clinical medicine).

 

06. Science-based understanding

Modern medicine is based on factors such as pathogens (bacteria, viruses), genetic defects (hereditary mutations), environmental factors and lifestyle. Modern medicine has accurately identified that in diabetes, there is a defect in the production of insulin by the pancreas (insulin deficiency) or in the action of insulin. This is a major leap forward from the principles of early medicine.

 

Diagnostic accuracy: With sophisticated tools such as blood tests (glucose levels, RDTs), urine tests and imaging techniques, diabetes can be accurately diagnosed and its severity assessed. This goes beyond the diagnosis made initially based on symptoms alone.

 

Plants (Herbs)

Plants were the most important sources of medicine. Ancient medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and African traditional medicine had extensive lists of herbal ingredients and their uses.

 

Animal products:

Animal body parts (bones, horns, internal organs) and their secretions (honey) were also used medicinally.

 

Minerals:

 Minerals such as clay, salts, and some metals were also used medicinally.

 

Belief, Rituals and Spirituality

In many early societies, diseases were believed to be caused by supernatural forces and evil spirits. Therefore, spiritually based approaches such as mantras, rituals, prayers, and exorcisms were also part of medicine. These included practices such as shamanism .

 

Major ancient medical systems

 

Ayurveda (India)

With a history of over 5000 years, Ayurveda emphasizes balancing the body, mind, and spirit. Its main components are the dosha theories of phlegm, bile, and phlegm, herbal medicine, dietary practices, yoga, and meditation.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (China)

Contains practices such as the yin-yang theory, the flow of chi (जिन - life force), acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tai chi (wuyi Ịhi).

 

Ancient Egyptian medicine: Rituals, herbal medicines, surgical procedures and early understanding of the body's components.

 

Ancient Egyptian medicine: Rituals, herbal medicines, surgical procedures and early understanding of the body's components.

 

Ancient Greek medicine

People like Hippocrates (Rippon) proposed philosophies such as the "four-fluid theory"  to diagnose diseases and tried to separate medicine from superstitions and approach it scientifically.

 

Current modern medicine and its evolution

Modern medicine is based on scientific research, technology and an evidence-based approach. The scientific and technological revolutions that began in the 17th century and lasted until the 19th century gave rise to the development of modern medicine.

 

Scientific discoveries

 

Microbiology

Scientists like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch discovered the microorganisms that cause diseases. This led to the development of vaccines and antibiotics for infectious diseases.

 

Surgical techniques

The invention of anesthetics and antiseptics made surgeries safer and more successful.

 

Pharmacology

The extraction of active chemicals from plants and the development of new synthetic drugs. The discovery of penicillin was a revolutionary change.

 

 

Pathology   And   diagnosis

 

The understanding of the underlying causes of diseases and the use of imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound led to the accurate diagnosis of diseases.

 

Imaging technologies

 

increased the accuracy of diagnosis.

 

Medical equipment

advanced surgical instruments, prosthetics, robotics, etc. have made medical treatments more efficient.

 

Information technology

such as patient data management, electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine (Telemedicine) have made it easier to access health services.

 

Genomic medicine

With the Human Genome Project (HGP), opportunities to identify genes responsible for diseases and develop gene therapies have increased.

 

Evidence-based medicine

The central principle of modern medicine is genomics. It emphasizes that all medical procedures, diagnoses, and treatments should be based on rigorous scientific studies and research, thus ensuring the safety and effectiveness of treatments.

 

The connection between early medicine and current medicine

Although modern medicine may seem completely different from its predecessors, they share a significant connection. Many of the fundamental principles and discoveries of modern medicine carry the seeds of early medicine.

 

Inspiration from nature

Many of the drugs used in modern medicine are naturally derived from plants or are based on their molecules.

 

Aspirin

Salicylic acid (salicylic acid), obtained from the bark of the willow tree, has been used as a pain reliever and fever reducer for thousands of years. It is the basis of modern aspirin.

 

Digitalis (digitalis)

Obtained from the foxglove (cinchona) plant, it is used to treat heart disease.

 

Quinine (quinine)

Obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree, it is used to treat malaria.

 

Metformin (metformin)

This diabetes medication is based on a compound called guanidine (guanidine), which is derived from the plant French lavender (Gusanana spp.). This plant has been used to treat diabetes for centuries.

 

Holistic approach to health

Early medical systems (Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine) viewed the body, mind and environment as integrated units. While modern medicine initially focused only on treating disease, it is now moving towards a holistic approach (ரழதலாவiஉ உப்பசயஉh).

Modern medicine recognizes dietary habits, lifestyle changes, stress reduction, yoga, meditation, etc. as part of modern medical treatment. This combines many principles of traditional medicine.

 

Basis of diagnosis

Early doctors diagnosed diseases through the patient's body language, pulse, tongue, and urine tests. These can be considered the early forms of the diagnostic process of modern medicine. Although today's modern tests (blood tests, scans) provide more accurate information, the patient's symptoms and medical history (உடினீயதா ரலாவசலாசல்) are still the basis for diagnosis.

 

Preventive Medicine

Ancient systems like Ayurveda emphasized the prevention of diseases. They emphasized that diet, exercise, and stress management are essential for a healthy life.

Modern medicine also now focuses heavily on preventing diseases through vaccinations, health practices, and lifestyle changes.

 

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which blood sugar levels rise due to defects in the production or use of insulin.

1. Type 1 (the body does not produce insulin),

 

2. Type 2 (the body does not use insulin properly or does not produce enough) and

 

3. Gestational diabetes are the main types.

 

Medical treatments

 

Discovery of insulin

The discovery of insulin (insulin) in the 1920s revolutionized the treatment of diabetes.

It is a life-saving drug for people with type 1 diabetes and an essential treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Early medicine did not have such life-saving drugs.

 

Oral medications (oral antidiabetic drugs)

Various oral medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, TPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors help control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

 

Lifestyle changes:

Modern medicine also emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management in diabetes management. These concepts are consistent with the holistic approach of early medicine.

Continuous Monitoring:

Monitoring blood sugar levels at home using a glucometer (glucometer) or continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMS) is an important part of diabetes management. It helps patients understand their condition better and adjust treatment decisions.

 

Complication Management:

Modern medicine has special methods for early detection and treatment of long-term complications of diabetes such as kidney disease, eye damage, nerve damage and heart disease. This is something that is not possible in early medicine.

 

Research and Development:

Modern medicine is constantly discovering new treatments and drugs through research and development. Cutting-edge treatments such as gene therapy (gene therapy), pancreas transplantation (PUT), and pancreatic islet cell transplantation (PSCT) are moving towards permanent solutions for diabetes.

 

The Connection Between Early Medicine and Modern Medicine