HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF NURSING
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF NURSING
When exploring the pages of history, it becomes apparent that nursing has always existed—and has primarily functioned—within a framework of human caring.
This legacy of human caring dates back to biblical times and has been integrated into every facet of nursing.
This content will discuss an overview of the historical evolution of nursing and nurse leaders that have shaped its current status.
PREHISTORIC PERIOD
Nursing in the prehistoric period was delineated by health practices that were strongly guided by beliefs of magic, religion, and superstition.
Individuals who were ill were considered cursed by evil spirits. Evil gods that entered the human body caused suffering and death and needed to be cast out.
To eliminate the evil spirits, people engaged in rituals, dance, wore masks, and made various types of sacrifices. Many tribes used special herbs, roots and vegetables to remove the “illness or death curse.”
EARLY CIVILIZATION
Egypt/Egyptians:
Major accomplishments in health care include:
1) The first to use the concept of suture in repairing wounds.
2) The first to use community planning to decrease public health problems.
3) Developed specific laws on cleanliness, food use and preservation, drinking, exercise, sexual relations, and a pharmacopoeia with more than 700 natural remedies
Health practices of the Egyptians were usually carried out to accommodate the gods and appease the spirits of the dead.
Little information on specific nursing practices is available; however, nurses were used by kings and aristocrats to deliver babies, care for the young, the elderly, and ill. Women were hired by privileged families to care for the sick and to assist with childbirth
Palestinians
Under the leadership of Moses, the Hebrews that settled in Palestine developed a system of laws called the Mosaic Code, which was one of the first organized methods of disease control and prevention. It contained public health laws that
When exploring the pages of history, it becomes apparent that nursing has always existed—and has primarily functioned—within a framework of human caring.
This legacy of human caring dates back to biblical times and has been integrated into every facet of nursing.
This content will discuss an overview of the historical evolution of nursing and nurse leaders that have shaped its current status.
PREHISTORIC PERIOD
Nursing in the prehistoric period was delineated by health practices that were strongly guided by beliefs of magic, religion, and superstition.
Individuals who were ill were considered cursed by evil spirits. Evil gods that entered the human body caused suffering and death and needed to be cast out.
To eliminate the evil spirits, people engaged in rituals, dance, wore masks, and made various types of sacrifices. Many tribes used special herbs, roots and vegetables to remove the “illness or death curse.”
EARLY CIVILIZATION
Egypt/Egyptians:
Major accomplishments in health care include:
1) The first to use the concept of suture in repairing wounds.
2) The first to use community planning to decrease public health problems.
3) Developed specific laws on cleanliness, food use and preservation, drinking, exercise, sexual relations, and a pharmacopoeia with more than 700 natural remedies
Health practices of the Egyptians were usually carried out to accommodate the gods and appease the spirits of the dead.
Little information on specific nursing practices is available; however, nurses were used by kings and aristocrats to deliver babies, care for the young, the elderly, and ill. Women were hired by privileged families to care for the sick and to assist with childbirth
Palestinians
Under the leadership of Moses, the Hebrews that settled in Palestine developed a system of laws called the Mosaic Code, which was one of the first organized methods of disease control and prevention. It contained public health laws that