Medicine in the 17th and 18th Century
After a truly horrific medical industry that lasted throughout the middle ages practices and ideas certainly began to change during the 17th and 18th century. During this era many professional bodies and organisations were formed for those practicing medicine. Journals were recorded and advances were made. William Harvey was known to have discovered how the blood circulated through the body. Microscopes were used and small bacteria were discovered. Edward Jenner was responsible for a smallpox vaccine. At about this time medical practice procedures were developed after a clear absence during the middle ages. Detailed records were kept and standards of hygiene and their desirable affect on health were slowly recognized. Vitamins were used and also new drugs were developed such as digitalis. The ancient Greek practice of bleeding victims (patients) was still practiced but as time went by traditional healers such as folk healers and magic healers were prevented from performing their special branch of medicine.
Despite the advances or best efforts made during this time period it is important to recognize that hygiene was still very poor indeed by today’s standards. Even the wealthy rarely took a bath. It was a common practice for the poor to stitch their children into one set of clothing for the whole winter season. Streets were rarely clean and open sewers were the norm. Such conditions were a breeding ground for killer diseases such as smallpox. People never washed their teeth and so dental hygiene was also extremely poor. | 
