Evolution of Medical Treatment: From Shamans to Modern Diagnostics

Medical treatment has undergone significant changes throughout human history, with early practices being vastly different from today's sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic methods. This article explores how doctors used to treat patients before the advent of modern diagnostic tests, focusing on the role of shamans, the evolution of medical practices, and the challenges of curing diseases that persist to this day.

Shamans: Early Healers

Before the development of modern medicine, ancient healers were often shamans. Shamans were local spiritual leaders, healers, and intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. Their practices, which still exist in some cultures, involved chants, masks, dances, and the use of specific potions and herbal remedies. Many of these treatments were associated with certain spirit animals, and rituals such as sacrifice and the use of various plants and roots were common.

Shamanic practices were prevalent as early as 13,000 years ago to a million years ago. These rituals often included the use of drums, bells, feathers, face and body paint, and elaborate music that would accompany the shaman in their healing process. Here is an image of a shaman in Siberia,

Role of Women in Early Medicine

Before the rise of shamans, women in prehistoric times often played a crucial role in healing, staying in the cave or home to tend to children while men went hunting or to war. Some women gained significant success in their healing practices, becoming renowned beyond their valleys and leading pilgrimages to seek their help. These early healers laid the groundwork for future medical practices.

Early Medical Practices and Diagnostics

Medical practices in ancient times were a mix of trial and error, superstition, and advanced yet primitive diagnostic techniques. For instance, the ancient Egyptians were known to perform brain surgery, demonstrating a level of medical knowledge that is impressive by early standards. However, primitive surgical techniques and practices such as sepsis were common, and treatments often relied on a combination of science and mysticism.

Before the 19th century, medical practices were often referred to as the 'heroic' school. This approach emphasized prevention over treatment and focused on maintaining good health rather than curing disease. Slowly, a branch of medicine began to adopt the scientific method, leading to the development of modern medicine. This shift in focus paved the way for the integration of empirical evidence and experimental methods in medical practice.

Simultaneously, alternative therapies such as chiropractic and homeopathy arose. These practices often deviated from the scientific method and embraced mystical or spiritual approaches to healing. The term 'allopathy' was coined by homeopaths to describe the 'heroic' school of medicine, and it is now commonly used as a derogatory term to criticize modern medicine.

The ongoing Debate: Curing vs. Treating

Even today, many diseases are considered incurable, and the distinction between treating and curing is often blurred. Most non-infectious diseases are not considered curable, and only a few infectious diseases have definitive treatments. This is especially true for common illnesses like the common cold, influenza, mumps, measles, and others for which there are no definitive cures. Patients are typically treated with the hope of a cure, using medicines that do not claim to cure the disease.

The debate between conventional and alternative medicine often centers on which method provides better outcomes in terms of treating or preventing disease. While both approaches have their merits, the ongoing discussion highlights the challenges in finding definitive cures for many illnesses.

Conclusion

The journey from the practice of shamans to modern medical diagnostics is a fascinating one. While ancient healing practices were rooted in mysticism and limited scientific knowledge, they played a crucial role in the development of modern medicine. Understanding the evolution of medical practices helps us appreciate the progress made and the ongoing challenges in treating and curing diseases.