Medical Practices in The 1700 Hundreds

1. By George Medical Practices in The 1700 Hundreds

2. Hermann Boerhaave • They did not know about germs, bacteria, or viruses in the 1700s so most medical practices used the theory of Hermann Boerhaave • who thought that disease was the imbalance of natural activities • fever was the body’s attempt to keep from drying up • digestion and circulation could be explained by mechanical theory's.

3. Medicine in the war • everyone that knew any medical information was drafted in to the war. • all groups in the war had it’s own physician • but most hometown doctors did not much ability

4. Treating War wounds • Most wounds were caused by musket balls or the bayonet • If the wound was to the bone that limb could not be saved the surgeon performed amputation • without the type of anesthesia or sterilization • During the amputation, officers received rum and brandy

5. Medical schools in 1700s • There were 3,500 and only about 350 had degrees in 1775 • The first was Pennsylvania Hospital, which opened in Philadelphia in 1768 • It was followed by Kings College which opened two years later in1770 in new York

6. Sources • http://www.ushistory.org/brandywine/special/art06.htm • http://www.wikipedia.org/