Medicine Through Time Prehistory is the period of

Medicine Through Time Prehistory - is the period of time before historic events were recorded. It literally means 'before history'. It mostly refers to the time period between the appearance of humans on earth and the time they learned how to write.

What was Prehistoric Medicine capable of doing? Make a list of some of the equipment that modern doctors use to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Prehistoric man could NOT treat certain conditions. For example… However, prehistoric man could and did perform some medical procedures.

Prehistoric Procedure Setting of Bones, Fractures and Dislocations

Prehistoric Procedure Treating Burns

Prehistoric Procedure Delivering Babies

Prehistoric Procedure Trephining

Prehistoric Procedure Trephining

Problems with Studying Prehistoric Medicine • No written Evidence • How can we overcome this problem? �Archaeology and Examination of Artefacts �Compare with existing prehistoric societies ◦ Aboriginal societies

Archaeology and Artefacts Skeletons not always helpful Excavation Techniques Prehistoric Burial Traditions Problems with Archaeology Cave Drawing Nomadic lifestyle Warriors/hunters Killed away from Tribe/group

Medical Equipment used by Aboriginal Peoples

The Role of Shamans or Medicine Men in providing medical care �Headaches and diseases were blamed on… �A shaman was the person who… �Charms were worn to…

Nomadic Lifestyle �Could be Surprisingly Healthy ◦ Fit and Active lifestyle ◦ Eat fresh food ◦ Little Pollution or Dirt �Move to new camps ◦ Low Population Density �Germs ◦ Little exposure to animals

All change with the Agricultural Revolution �When humans settled down to grow crops and raise animals their health began to get worse. Can you list why this may have been the case?

Glossary Words �Trephining �Abscess �Osteo-arthiritis �Ulcer �Anti-Septic �Anti-Biotic �Remedy

Isbister Case Study � 3, 000 BC Prehistoric site found on Orkney. �Pages 8 - 10

Isbister Case Study Statement Osteoarthritis was very common Women lived longer than men. Skeletons provide a good source of evidence Dental health was good Australian Aborigines are a good source of evidence Natural remedies were used to treat illnesses There was no surgical treatment Bones from tombs are a good source of evidence Belief systems were not relevant to medicine True/False Evidence to support your decision

Activity �Read Pages 11 & 12 �Answer Questions 1, 2 & 3 on the bottom of page 13.