Why did the discoveries of renaissance make little practical difference to medical treatment in period 1500 - 1700?

While the Renaissance brought about significant intellectual and cultural advancements, its impact on medical treatments during the period of 1500-1700 was relatively limited. There are several reasons for this:

1. Persistence of Traditional Beliefs: Despite the rise of scientific inquiry, traditional beliefs and practices heavily influenced medical treatments during this time. Many physicians still relied on ancient medical texts, such as those of Galen and Hippocrates, and adhered to traditional theories like the theory of humors (the idea that imbalances of bodily fluids caused diseases).

2. Limited Scientific Knowledge: Although the Renaissance saw an increased interest in scientific observation and experimentation, the overall scientific understanding of the human body and diseases was still limited. Advances in anatomy and physiology, for instance, were hindered by the lack of systematic study of cadavers and the influence of religious beliefs.

3. Lack of Standardization: Medical practices varied widely among different regions and practitioners, leading to a lack of standardized treatments. Physicians often developed their own remedies and techniques based on personal experience or hearsay rather than established scientific evidence.

4. Influence of Astrology and Alchemy: Astrology and alchemy played significant roles in medical thinking during the Renaissance. Many physicians believed that the positions of the stars and planets influenced health, leading to the practice of astrology in medical diagnosis and treatment. Alchemy was also used to create medicines, but its focus on magical transformations rather than scientific principles limited its practical effectiveness.

5. Slow Dissemination of Knowledge: In the absence of modern communication technologies, new discoveries and advancements in medicine took time to spread and become widely adopted. The exchange of medical knowledge was often limited to a small network of scholars and practitioners, hindering the dissemination of innovative ideas.

6. Limited Access to Medical Care: Medical care during this period was primarily accessible to the wealthy and privileged classes. The majority of the population, particularly in rural areas, relied on traditional healers and remedies, which often had limited effectiveness in treating complex medical conditions.

Despite these limitations, the Renaissance did lay the foundation for future advancements in medicine. The spirit of inquiry and the increasing emphasis on observation and experimentation eventually led to breakthroughs that would revolutionize medical practices in later centuries.