Project
Page
Introduction
Birth of Pharmacy
Growth of Pharmacy
Foundations of Modern
Pharmacy
Conclusion
I decided to explore the
topic, The Evolution of Pharmaceutical Practices from Ancient Egypt to
America, as my web project for four reasons. First, I was
very curious and interested about this subject. Second, I knew
very little about this area of history and I thought this class project
to be a great
opportunity to expand my store of knowledge . Third, I believe
that the research I did for this project will aid me in furthering my
education for my chosen career. Fourth, it was relatively easy to
gather sources within this theme.
I decided to explore the
topic, The Evolution of Pharmaceutical Practices from Ancient Egypt to
America, as my web project for four reasons. First, I was
very curious and interested about this subject. Second, I knew
very little about this area of history and I thought this class project
to be a great
opportunity to expand my store of knowledge . Third, I believe
that the research I did for this project will aid me in furthering my
education for my chosen career. Fourth, it was relatively easy to
gather sources within this theme. Before I began this History of Science class, I knew very little of this topic, however, over the past few months, I have acquired a working knowledge of the history of medicine and pharmaceutical practices. For example, I have learned that ancient practices of medicine were usually sterile and that medicines used throughout history usually followed some sort of law and went through some initial testing.
When I began my project, I asked myself several questions. How did pharmaceutical practices developed in history? Who started it all? Who were some of the key thinkers and founders? To what extent were medicines used? How did education play a part? The central question I constantly asked myself throughout the project was how did practices in history compare with our modern day practices of 24 - hour pharmacies like Walgreens?
I believe this topic is interesting to almost anyone. Medicine is a crucial element of our modern times. We seem to find a medicine for everything whether it is a disease or not. As humans, we are constantly trying to find ways to increase our health, the years of our lives, and keep our physical appearance as beautiful as possible throughout the aging process. Medicine affects all of these issues. I think my web project will bring about a greater appreciation for the journey medicine took to get to the modern convenience of today.
Let me briefly explain the organization of my project. I divided my project into three Episodes. I thought it would keep my project entertaining to introduce two characters in the present, both working as pharmacy techs at a modern day Walgreens, as they discussed how medicine came to be practiced as it is today. Carol, the ever curious and ever questioning employee, just graduated from pharmacy tech school and begins to wonder about the history of pharmacy as she is on the job. Her boss, Melinda, is a seasoned employee and has been afforded a greater education on the subject and is able to answer Carol's questions. Carol begins my first Episode, The Birth of Pharmacy in Ancient Times, by asking where pharmaceutical practices began. Melinda answers by explaining its origins in Mesopotamia with the cuneiform tablets and in ancient Egypt with the Papyrus Ebers. Central to this topic was the theme that medicine practices during this time were not as primitive as we might think today, and that medicine was not always used in conjunction with magical rituals.
Melinda hands Carol a book called De Materia Medica and Other Records In the History of Pharmacy that helps guide the second Episode called The Growth of Pharmacy in Medieval Times . This Episode focuses on the medieval period, and the establishment of pharmacy as its own practice. I also briefly touch on a couple of key influential scientists during this time, Hippocrates, Paracelsus, and Discrodies. I also tried to open up the door to understanding that there existed other theories for sickness during this time and that not everyone thought that God was punishing a victim of illness for his sins.
My third Episode, The Foundations of Modern Pharmacy in America, jumps into the beginnings of pharmacy in America. Carol wants to know how medicine was brought to the New World, so Melinda explains how Christopher Columbus was the first to bring medicine over. This Episode also details how drugs in the New World were discovered and introduced into other parts of the world. One of the main issue I focus on in this Episode is erasing the stereotype that medicine was always used by Native American medicine men in religious ceremonies or rituals.
Despite good organization, I knew that my project would not be interesting in the least if I did not organize and present the Episodes with good writing technique. So I decided to write all my Episodes with Carol and Melinda in a narrative dialog. The connection that ties all of my Episodes together is my theme and my setting. Every Episode is using the same two characters - Melinda and Carol working at Walgreens. My theme throughout the project is that medicine practiced throughout history, from ancient times to modern periods, has almost always reflected out modern day pharmaceutical practices. All of the sources I have used in my project are listed below. Hope you enjoy the journey into the Evolution of Pharmaceutical Practices from Ancient Egypt to America!
Primary Sources:
Cushing, Harvey/John Hay Whitney Medical Library. Medical Historical Library. The English Physician - 1652.
http://www.med.yale.edu/library/historical/culpeper/culpeper.htm.
Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. http://www.librarius.com/canttran/gptrfs.htm.
Dioscorides, "Book One: Aromatics", De Matena Medica http://www.cancerlynx.com/BOOKONEAROMATICS.PDF.
Hippocratic, On the Nature of Man, On the Sacred Disease, Hippocratic Oath. http://homepage.mac.com/kvmagruder/hsci/05-Hellenistic/hippocrates.html.
B. Ebbell, “The Papyrus Ebers”, The Greatest Egyptian Medical Document. http://www.macalester.edu/%7Ecuffel/ebers.htm.
Secondary
Sources:
All of my secondary sources have been doubled checked and all of them were written by sources that I can name and every author possesses obvious knowledge of some or all of primary sources I listed above or it has been written by a professional historian of science
All of my secondary sources have been doubled checked and all of them were written by sources that I can name and every author possesses obvious knowledge of some or all of primary sources I listed above or it has been written by a professional historian of science
Benedictow, OLE J. The Black Death
1346 - 1353: The Complete History. (Boydell & Brewer,
2004).
Conrad, Lawrence I., Michael Neve, Vivian Nutton, Ray Porter, and Andrew Wear. The Western Medical Tradition 800BC - 1800 AD. (New York:Cambridge University Press). 1995.
Craig, Charles R. and Robert E. Stitzell. Modern Pharmacology with Clinical Applications. (Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). 2004
Kremers, Edward and George Urdang. History of Pharmacy. (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company). 1951.
Lindberg, David. The Beginnings of Western Science. (Chicago: The University of Chicago, 1992).
Magner, Lois N. A History of Medicine. (New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc.) 1992.
Moini, Jahangir. The Profession and Practice of Pharmacy Technicians: A Comprehensive Approach. (Thomson Delmar Learning, 2004)
Starr, Paul. The Social Transformation of American Medicine. (New York:Basic Books). 1982.
Watrall, Ethan and Mark Hays,"Medicine in Ancient Mesopotamia"The Asclepion. http://www.indiana.edu/~ancmed/meso.HTM
Conrad, Lawrence I., Michael Neve, Vivian Nutton, Ray Porter, and Andrew Wear. The Western Medical Tradition 800BC - 1800 AD. (New York:Cambridge University Press). 1995.
Craig, Charles R. and Robert E. Stitzell. Modern Pharmacology with Clinical Applications. (Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). 2004
Kremers, Edward and George Urdang. History of Pharmacy. (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company). 1951.
Lindberg, David. The Beginnings of Western Science. (Chicago: The University of Chicago, 1992).
Magner, Lois N. A History of Medicine. (New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc.) 1992.
Moini, Jahangir. The Profession and Practice of Pharmacy Technicians: A Comprehensive Approach. (Thomson Delmar Learning, 2004)
Starr, Paul. The Social Transformation of American Medicine. (New York:Basic Books). 1982.
Watrall, Ethan and Mark Hays,"Medicine in Ancient Mesopotamia"The Asclepion. http://www.indiana.edu/~ancmed/meso.HTM
Image: Weblink: http://alpenmic.com/pharmacy/pharmacy.htm
Project Page Introduction Birth of Pharmacy Growth of Pharmacy Foundations of Modern Pharmacy Conclusion