nataliegriffin
 
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Introduction

Progression of Medicine through knowledge of Anatomy
 

For my semester-long project, I have chosen to study the progression of medicine through the obtainment of the knowledge of human anatomy. I find the history of medicine extremely fascinating because I have cystic fibrosis. If I was born twenty years earlier I would probably be dead by now. It is amazing how only a few decades change medicine. It has to be astounding to see how far we have come since the birth of civilizations. I hope to uncover where medicine began, the progression modern medicine has taken over the years, and how we have built upon each discovery.

Before this project, I didn’t know much about medicine’s beginnings. I knew Da Vinci was knowledgeable about the human body because we studied his sketches in art history. I also knew about gruesome practices in medieval periods such as blood letting. I didn’t know much more than that though. I hope through my blood, sweat, and tears (also known as my research) that people will appreciate medicine more. Instead of going to the doctor and complaining about wait times they can sit back and reflect on the wonders of our knowledge.

Although I originally planned to write this project in a “Back to the Future” motif, Delorian and all, I have decided on writing it in a narrative format, like a bed-time story but obviously less relaxing. All the episodes would be tied together through a timeline with me telling the story of how medicine changes as we acquired knowledge of human anatomy. I would be the narrator for each individual episode. I also want to share my feelings over my research. I hope some of the facts I find will shock me and I want to show all of you what I find interesting, because chances are, you will find them interesting too.

 

My project includes three episodes:

  1. Episode 1, Egypt: I love Egypt. I have my graduation trip scheduled to Cairo and Alexandria in Spring 2010. I think its pertinent that I absorb and research as much Egyptology as possible. I want to uncover what they knew, what they didn’t know, and what they treated.
  2. Episode 2, Medieval: I think medieval times gets a bad wrap for plagues, illiteracy, and gruesome medicine. I want to find out if knowledge was lost at all and their medical practices. After all, they had their hands full with all the plagues.
  3. Episode 3, Renaissance: I loved studying the renaissance in art history. Da Vinci’s sketches of the fetus and the man were so realistic. I want to know how much did he contribute and other people contribute to theories of modern medicine. Was there progression since the medieval period?
Natalie Griffin