Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medicine. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

MEDICINE in the Middle Ages

Anatomical Man.jpg
"Anatomical Man" Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Learning is a continuing process and through new discoveries and invention, we broaden our horizon of knowledge every day. Throughout history, man has illuminated the world with art, science, and philosophy and has also acquired abilities to invent and discover, various tools for its survival. One of the most powerful discoveries ever made is the knowledge of medicine. Though the history of medicine can be traced back to the primitive age, medicine as a specialized field of study did not exist before the Middle Ages. Based on Greek and eastern principles, European medicine embellished with the discoveries of the middle ages and set the foundation for the contemporary medicine.

The Heptameron by Marguerite de Navarre is a representation of the French society in the middle ages. She has depicted various social and cultural norms of the time in the stories. Her insight into the science of medical practiced in France in the Middle Ages is quite apparent Even though the importance of medicine as a specialty was acknowledged among the intellectuals of Paris; the influence of the church remained a conduit for its advancement. Although the supremacy of supernatural over natural was obvious, a clear implication was established that the natural and supernatural world was separate if not independent. As a result of what we see is an amalgamation of medical science, mysticism, and religion in the middle age of France.

Ancient physiologists believed that the body must always have a balance of these humor, for imbalance will cause ailments. The diagnosis was based on examining a sample of blood and also colors of skin, urine, and feces.

Medical treatment by trained physicians rare and very expensive as a result the elite class could only afford it. The uncertainty and unavailability of academic treatment left no choice for the general population, but to turn towards certain charms, special prayers, and specific Christian rituals. Thirteen century Paris had only a half dozen doctors in public employ, with little time to spend on individual patients. The practice of medicine was not restricted to a certain sect of people rather clergy and laymen, men and women were all able to practice medicine.

The physician often compounded and dispensed drugs in addition to practicing medicine. And apothecary often engaged in medical practice as well as compounding and dispensing. It is evident from the stories in heptameron that the drugs made by apothecaries could be very lethal at times as they did not have the proper knowledge. Also, personal hygiene was not an important factor for an apothecary, live alone the common people.

Diet was thought to be extremely important in the treatment of illness and prescriptions would cover the minutest of details for all sorts of conditions. The greatest general reliance was placed on broths, milk, and eggs. Today the importance of diet in medical science is felt extensively. Nutrition as a special branch of study has emerged. Dietitians and nutritionist are there to help physicians in treating patients who need special diets. Plants and herbs were used in the preparation of digestives, laxatives, emetics, diuretics, diaphoretics, styptics etc. Drugs remain to be the major form of treatments today but with the advanced technology, pharmacology has become one of the leading businesses.


Surgery the last resort advised by a physician but also it was only accessible to the wealthy. Surgery was known to be successful in cases of fistula, hemorrhoids, gangrene, and cataracts. Bloodletting was one of the most common forms of surgery and was recommended for fever, inflammation, and a variety of disease condition and ironically for hemorrhages as well. There were three main methods of bloodletting during the middle ages: leeching, venesection, and cupping. Among these leeching is still used, though rare as a medical procedure by some physicians. Leeching helps to reduce tissue congestion where the arterial input is maintained but a venous return is blocked or slowed leeches act as an extra vein to relieve a dangerous build-up of blood.

As a result, leech therapy is finding its way into numerous reconstructive surgeries such as digit and limb reattachment, skin graft procedure, scalp avulsions, and breast surgeries and even into effective treatment of periorbital hematomas. Anesthesia and pain relievers were available but some of the potions used were lethal in itself. For example, the hemlock juice was used, and it could easily cause death.

The diseases that were very common in the Middle Ages were dysentery, jaundices pneumonia, influenza and a common cold. This could be largely attributed to the living condition of that time. Rural people largely lived in a one-room structure with a central fire or hearth and a central roof with a small opening which allowed some of the smoke to escape. Homes were dark damp and cold, with minimum sunlight and poor air circulation, a perfect breeding place for germs and bacteria.

The climatic conditions and lifestyle of the time with no proper facilities contributed to the lack of personal hygiene as well. It further escalated with population growth in the towns and cities. Also due to lack of advanced techniques, patients often died due to excessive blood loss after a surgery. Today personal hygiene is considered to be a key factor to live a disease free life.

With the latest technologies, available infant mortality has reduced and longevity in humans has increased tremendously compared to middle ages. As we benefit from the sophisticated technologies of medical science, it is imperative that we acknowledge the contribution of our predecessors. What we are enjoying today is the fruits of the trees whose seeds were planted by our ancestor.


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Wednesday, June 14, 2017

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: A Man’s Nightmare

English: Man suffering from impotence is about...
Man suffering from impotence is about to sacrifice a pig to Priapus. Ca. 40 BC. Roman fresco from the eastern wall of room 4 in the Villa dei Misteri in Pompeii. 
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you shying away from women just because you are coping with erectile dysfunction? Is erectile dysfunction or dysfunction erectile impotence, stressing you out? Erectile dysfunction is not a recent ailment. It has existed since ages. Yet it’s only now that people have become more aware about it.

Erectile dysfunction is more of an emotional problem than a physical problem for men. Erectile dysfunction is most commonly referred to as ED. In simple terms means the repeated inability of men to get or maintain erection throughout the intercourse to attain sexual fulfillment.

Erection requires a precise sequence of events, and when any sequence is disrupted it leads to dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction usually occurs due to damage of nerves, arteries or smooth muscles. Defective lifestyle pattern such as smoking, obesity, excessive consumption of liquor, avoidance of physical activity can also contribute to ED.

Sensory or mental stimulus or both initiates erection. The brain and local nerves send impulses which lead the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to loosen up, permitting blood to flow in and seal the spaces. The blood generates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, in turn expanding the penis. The tunica albuginea helps lock in blood in the corpora cavernosa, thus sustaining erection.

Erectile dysfunction symptoms can be enumerated as:

• Inability to have erection while masturbation or while having sex with your partner
• Inability to maintain erection firm enough for sexual intercourse
• Inability to maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse.

Physiological factors such as vascular disease, diabetes and many more are main causes of erectile dysfunction. Apart from physiological factors, psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt can also lead to erectile dysfunction. In fact psychological factors amplify the physical factors.

As per the studies ED generally occurs among men above or in the age group of 40-65. Never the less, it should not be considered as an inevitable part of aging.

ED can be treated at any age. With the advancement of medical science, medications have evolved in order to treat erectile dysfunction effectively. Though, these medications may vary from individual to individual.

The market is flooded with a gamut erectile dysfunction drugs such as Cialis, Viagra, Levitra. These drugs work on the same principle, to increase the blood flow into the penis and thus sexually stimulate men and causing an erection.  The best part is that all these drugs are FDA approved oral prescription. A prior consultation with a doctor recommended.