2.1.1
Scientific Approach & Knowledge
The Renaissance
The Renaissance
The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy in the late 15th century and lasted until the 18th century. It was a cultural movement that revived part of Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman culture and the Church had less influence in the Renaissance.
Writing and knowledge
Writing and knowledge
- Scholars were paid to restore old texts and fix the bad translations that had been published in the Middle Ages.
- The theories proposed by Hippocrates and Galen became popular again.
Humanism and science
Humanism and science
- There was an increased focus on the importance of human factors rather than supernatural things. This was called humanism.
- There was also a focus on direct observation and experiments to explain things rather than blame them on something supernatural.
- This led some people to question the Church.
Communication and the printing press
Communication and the printing press
- Renaissance means rebirth. It was a time of rebirth in the arts and science. The printing press (created in 1440) was very important to share and spread ideas.
- The printing press allowed knowledge to be shared with more people very cheaply.
- Books and leaflets could be printed and sent across Europe whereas previously, a lot of information was only told person-to-person.
Impact on medicine
Impact on medicine
- The rediscovery of Galen and Hippocrates' work meant that people began to see the importance of dissection and human anatomy.
- The focus on humans and the increased spread of ideas all encouraged experimentation and the search for explanations.
- People began to dissect human bodies (corpses) and there were illustrations in medical writings and books.
Changes in Medical Knowledge in the Renaissance
Changes in Medical Knowledge in the Renaissance
There were some changes in society and in medical knowledge during the Renaissance period:
New weapons and injuries
New weapons and injuries
- Guns became a lot more common in 17th century warfare. This led to new injuries and doctors had to find new ways to treat gunshot wounds.
Dissections
Dissections
- Dissections became a more integral (important) part of medical training.
- The College of Physicians (founded in 1518) improved training and encouraged scientific observation.
Fewer British hospitals
Fewer British hospitals
- Between 1536 and 1541, Henry VIII closed a lot of Britain's monasteries.
- Because hospitals were often run by monasteries, there were actually fewer hospitals in this period than in previous years.
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
Jump to other topics
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
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