The Church versus scientific learning
Renaissance is a French word that means 鈥榬ebirth鈥. Historians use this term to describe the new types of thinking that started to be explored across Europe in the 15th century and beyond. In England, the period from c.1500 to c.1700 is known as 鈥榯he medical Renaissance鈥 because it was a period of new learning, ideas and approaches to medicine.
After the The 16th century religious revolution that led to the establishment of the Protestant churches. in the mid-16th century, the power of the Church declined. Science began to play a more influential role in learning. Some scientists and doctors began to challenge the old ideas by asking questions and seeking evidence themselves.
Ideas about the causes of disease and illness
There was much continuity during these centuries regarding popular beliefs about the causes of disease and illness. For most people, the methods of The identification of a disease, illness or condition which is present in a patient. A diagnosis is made after looking for signs and symptoms in a patient. the prevention of disease and treatments for those who were sick remained very similar.
Many people still believed that disease and illness were caused by:
- an imbalance of the Four bodily fluids 鈥 yellow bile, black bile, blood and phlegm 鈥 used in ancient times to analyse and describe people's state of health. - the theory of the four humours had been discredited by c.1700, but most people still believed in the idea
- bad air, or Smells from decomposing material, such as animal and human waste, that were thought to cause disease.
However, as a result of the change towards a more scientific approach to learning, there were new medical ideas and discoveries. For example:
- small seeds spread in the air were observed using newly invented A scientific instrument that uses a magnifying lens to allow observation of objects too small to be viewed by the naked eye.
- factors outside the human body (eg temperature), rather than the four humours inside the body
- 鈥榓nimalcules鈥 - tiny animals that could only be seen using a microscope (this is a word that we no longer use, as we now have a greater understanding of Single-celled microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic in humans, animals and plants. Singular is bacterium.)
However, these ideas had little impact. The general public continued to believe that illness was caused by an imbalance of the four humours.
The impact of the printing press
The world鈥檚 first printing press was invented in the 15th century. As a result, books could be printed, rather than written out by hand. As it was now easier to create books, more of them appeared, and more people could access them. This meant that new ideas could be spread more easily.
The invention of the printing press also meant that the Church no longer had control over what was written in books. Therefore, it could not control medical education. A person who practices medicine. and scientists were now able to publish ideas that challenged people like Galen.
The Royal Society in England
The Royal Society was founded in 1660 in London to support scientists in carrying out experiments, debating new ideas and sharing new discoveries. The Royal Society was supported by Charles II, which increased the popularity and credibility of the organisation. In 1665, the society began to issue its scientific journal. In the 21st century, The Royal Society continues to publish scientific journals and carries out its mission across the UK and globally.