Research into the history of medicine

This is a fascinating area.  Research into the history of medicine throughout the ages and how herbal and “old wives” tales where the mainstay of helping to ward off disease and effecting a cure would be of interest both here and in the Research section in the Library area on the Kevala site.  It’s salutary to think that the Romans, for example, had a profound affect upon public health and that with the decline of the Roman Empire the public baths and clean water systems disappeared.   Infact government did not really become involved in wide-spread public health until the time of the Industrial Revolution when they tried to improve public health by introducing water supplies and a variety of  factory acts. 
Another interesting area is the link between different sectors of society and their influence or impediment of medical or social progress.  The early Christian church opened hospitals to care and pray for the sick; there were also herbal gardens and libraries of “medical” text.  Think about historical figures who shaped modern medical opinion –John Snow (cholera); Edward Jenner (vaccinations), Pasteur…..

Articles around these subjects would be of interest too.  Students on our Herbal Studies Certificate course please submit your thoughts on this area to lynda@kevala.co.uk.