Early Medical Diagnosis and Technology

Early Medical Diagnosis

• Ancient Greeks believed disease was caused by the environment interacting with the body.
• Hippocrates and Galen, prominent physicians, diagnosed disorders by observing body fluids like blood, phlegm, and bile.
• Urine analysis was crucial, with Galen linking urine characteristics to diseases like diabetes.
• Medieval Europe practiced "water casting" where urine was analyzed for diagnosis.
• Public beatings were used as a punishment for failed urine examinations.
• The first book detailing urine characteristics, including color, density, and quality, was written around 900 AD.

Technological Advancements in Diagnosis

• High mortality rates from plagues and diseases drove advancements in medical technology.
• Early 11th-century practitioners relied solely on patient descriptions and observations.
• By the 18th century, mechanical techniques and cadaver dissection improved objective diagnosis.
• The 19th century introduced machines like the spirometer for lung capacity and the sphygmomanometer for blood pressure.
• Chemistry also played a role in diagnosing diseases like diabetes, anemia, diphtheria, and syphilis.

Specialization and the Rise of Medical Technicians

• The rise of mechanical and chemical diagnostic tools led to specialization in medicine.
• Increased patient volume and expanding medical knowledge made patient care more complex.
• Hospitals and specialized teams became the standard for medical care, requiring additional technical expertise.
• The 20th century saw a significant need for information technology and data specialists.
• The growing volume of medical data led to the development of the medical technician field.
• By 1969, 80% of medical professionals were non-physicians, demonstrating the importance of technicians.
• Patient education regarding medical tests became critical.