Scientific Investigation
Modern medicine began with long-ago observations on the function, and malfunction, of the human body. The study of the human body probably began with our earliest ancestors, who must have been curious about how their bodies worked, as we are today. At first their interests most likely concerned injuries and illnesses, because healthy bodies demand little attention from their owners.
Early healers relied heavily on superstitions and notions about magic. However, as healers tried to help the sick, they began to discover useful ways of examining and treating the human body. They observed the effects of injuries, noticed how wounds healed, and examined cadavers to determine causes of death. They also found that certain herbs and potions could sometimes be used to treat coughs, headaches, fevers, and other common signs of illness.
Over time, people began to believe that humans could understand forces that caused natural events. They began observing the world around them more closely, asking questions and seeking answers. This set the stage for the development of modern medical science.
As techniques for making accurate observations and performing careful experiments evolved, knowledge of the human body expanded rapidly (fig. 1.1). At the same time,early medical providers coined many new terms to name body parts, describe their locations, and explain their functions and interactions. These terms, most of which originated from Greek and Latin words, formed the basis for the language of anatomy and physiology that persists today.
Early healers relied heavily on superstitions and notions about magic. However, as healers tried to help the sick, they began to discover useful ways of examining and treating the human body. They observed the effects of injuries, noticed how wounds healed, and examined cadavers to determine causes of death. They also found that certain herbs and potions could sometimes be used to treat coughs, headaches, fevers, and other common signs of illness.
Over time, people began to believe that humans could understand forces that caused natural events. They began observing the world around them more closely, asking questions and seeking answers. This set the stage for the development of modern medical science.
As techniques for making accurate observations and performing careful experiments evolved, knowledge of the human body expanded rapidly (fig. 1.1). At the same time,early medical providers coined many new terms to name body parts, describe their locations, and explain their functions and interactions. These terms, most of which originated from Greek and Latin words, formed the basis for the language of anatomy and physiology that persists today.