2.2.3
Changes for Physicians, Surgeons & Hospitals
Changes in Hospitals in the Renaissance
Changes in Hospitals in the Renaissance
In the renaissance, hospitals started to become more modern.
Hospitals
Hospitals
- The modern hospitals that we use today were born in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- These hospitals were funded by wealthy people or by private subscriptions from the local community.
- Specialist wards (like maternity wards) and specialist hospitals were established to treat certain diseases. This organisation was more effective at curing disease.
Changes in hospitals
Changes in hospitals
- Not much changed in nursing during the Renaissance.
- Reformers like Florence Nightingale drove a lot of reforms in hospitals, but this was not until the mid-1800s.
Workhouses
Workhouses
- Poor people were often looked after in workhouses.
- Workhouses were large buildings where the unemployed, ill or elderly could be looked after.
- Conditions in workhouses were often very bad, although they got better after 1850.
Number of hospitals
Number of hospitals
- In the 18th century there was a significant increase in hospitals.
- For example, in London there were 5 new general hospitals built between 1720 and 1750. Hospitals like Guy's Hospital opened.
- This was accompanied by a rise in patient numbers.
Attitudes and beliefs
Attitudes and beliefs
- Hospital treatment was free but most treatment was still based on the four humours.
- Attitudes to illness began to change in the 18th century.
- The idea that illness was a punishment for sin was increasingly less popular.
Changes for Physicians and Surgeons in the Renaissance
Changes for Physicians and Surgeons in the Renaissance
Surgeons’ status began to improve during the Renaissance and doctors’ training also improved. The ideas of the four humours and miasmas remained common, but there was growing awareness that dirt and disease were connected.
College of Physicians
College of Physicians
- The College of Physicians was set up in 1518. Most British doctors were trained here and they were still learning Galen’s works.
- In the 18th century, most doctors still believed in the four humours or that disease was spread through ‘bad air’ (miasmas).
- Doctors got a license if they were trained at the college of physicians.
- Quack doctors did not receive this license, but some unlicensed doctors were also good doctors.
Surgeons
Surgeons
- By this point in time, there were 2 main types of surgeon:
- Professional surgeons, who had trained at university and were expensive and well paid.
- Barber surgeons, who were unqualified and not very well respected.
- Surgeons’ status began to improve and in 1800, the London College of Surgeons was set up. It created training standards for surgeons.
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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