Unique characteristics of HOMOSAPIENS – propensity to treat ailments, physical and mental with medicine
INTRODUCTION
* What is medicine?
MEDICINE- is a mixture of myth and science, folklore and demonstrated facts. * How are medicines prepared? 1. Collection of active ingredients and drugs 2. Processed: and 3. Prepared for incorporation into medicaments
PREHISTORIC PHARMACY
SHANIDAR – oldest settlements, supports the contention that prehistoric people gathered plants for medicinal process.
SHAMANS – tribal healers Duties: * Prepare magical potions for cure * In-charge of all supernatural things in tribe * Diagnosis and treatment of chronic illness * Compounding of remedies
According to primitive people, what is illness? * Associated with bad spirits (supernatural). Treatment may be through the spell of sorcerers or with the aid of magical substances.
Neanderthal man buried the dead in Shanidar cave. Cluster of flowers and herbs were placed (some valued for their medical properties).
What is a DRUG? * a simple tool; and * a special substance with supernatural powers
ONE OF HUMANITIES GREATEST ADVANCES:
CONCEPTS: HEALING and DISEASE * to develop CIVILIZATION is required * to flourish…tools are needed for rational medical therapy such as: writing, systems of exchange, and weights and measures.
BEFORE THE DAWN OF HISTORY
From beginnings as remote and simple as they came proud of:
PROFESSION OF PHARMACY * Ancient man learned from instinct, from observation of birds and beast. Cool leaf to soothe and alleviate suffering. * By trial, man learned which served him best. He applied the knowledge & benefit of others. * By mouth, they spread the news & passed on.
Though cavemen’s methods were crude, many of today’s medicines spring from sources as simple & elementary as those which are within reach of early man.
THE PERIOD OF ANTIQUITY Changes occurred when