How has medicine changed from 1700s and now?

1700s

* Physicians were not required to have any formal training. Anyone could set up shop as a doctor, regardless of their qualifications.

* Medical treatments were often ineffective and even harmful. Common treatments included bloodletting, purging, and mercury ointments.

* Surgery was a last resort, and it was often fatal. Surgeons did not understand the basics of anatomy and lacked the tools and techniques to perform safe surgeries.

* Life expectancy was low. The average life expectancy in the 1700s was about 35 years.

Now

* Physicians must undergo rigorous training. All doctors in the United States must complete four years of medical school and three to seven years of residency training.

* Medical treatments are based on evidence. Doctors use evidence-based medicine to develop treatments that are safe and effective.

* Surgery is a common and successful procedure. Surgeons today have a deep understanding of anatomy and a wide range of tools and techniques to perform safe and effective surgeries.

* Life expectancy is high. The average life expectancy in the United States is now about 79 years.

Some of the most notable advances in medicine in the past 200 years include:

* The development of vaccines. Vaccines have prevented millions of deaths from diseases such as smallpox, polio, and measles.

* The discovery of antibiotics. Antibiotics have cured diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and syphilis.

* The development of anesthesia. Anesthesia has made surgery possible for millions of people who would otherwise have died from the pain.

* The invention of medical imaging technology. Medical imaging technology such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs has allowed doctors to diagnose diseases earlier and more accurately.

* The development of new treatments for chronic diseases. New treatments for chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes have saved millions of lives.

These are just a few of the many advances in medicine that have occurred in the past 200 years. These advances have led to a longer life expectancy and a better quality of life for people around the world.