Scientific Era

 From these ancient times medicine progressively emerged as a scientific discipline, under going periodic changes in its content and approach. The sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries witnessed the growth of the modern physical sciences and its scientific methods of study and analysis. Vesalius, born in 1514 in Brussel, made extensive observations in anatomy and produced his classical work on anatomy "De humanis corporis fabrica" in 1543. William Harvey, a British Physician, published his classical work on circulation of blood. "De mortu Cordis" in 1628. It was Harvey who established the scientific basis of medicine.

Starting in the late 18th century and developing with a great rapidity in the 1th century, the modern medical theory and practice made great progress. Discovery of the microscope by Leewenhock, three hundred years ago led to the identification of the cell as the basis of biological existence. Koch's postulates laid a firm basis for establishing the aetiology of microbial diseases. Gregor Mendel published his observations in 1865 and laid the foundations of modern genetics. Molecular diseases also were identified in the early part of the 19th century.

From the middle of this century the development of knowledge has been been explosive. Though earlier medicine was practiced as an art, at present it is a harmonious blend of scientific practices generously tempered with human warmth, kindness, and above all, the bare common sense. What is spoken of as a clinical picture is not just the photograph of a man sick in bed, it is the sum total of the patient's condition, his home, his work, his fears etc. A good physician honors his patient and his time; sympathy and understanding are found in that joy of personal bond which forms the source of the greatest satisfaction in the practice of medicine.