Ancient Healthcare

By Chris Dalrymple, D.C., F.I.C.C

Life has always been a risky business.  The perils of war, disease, famine and childbirth have contributed to a life span markedly shorter than humankind currently experiences.  Humans in antiquity were no less concerned about the prevention and cure of maladies than they are now.  Cults, sanctuaries and professions dedicated to the restoration and preservation of health dotted the spiritual, physical and professional landscapes of the ancient world as they do today.

During the Stone Age, physicians were familiar with bone setting.  The origin of the therapeutic movement of joints is lost in the mist of antiquity, but in the historical development of medicine there are many references to the practice. In addition to the use of manipulation as a method of setting fractures, reducing dislocations, and restoring mobility to an injured or diseased joint, there is considerable evidence that many attempted to treat disease by manipulating the joints. 

Medical Licensure c. 3000 B.C.E. to 1800s C.E.

By Chris Dalrymple, D.C., F.I.C.C

Monday, August 10, 2015 12:00 AM

circa 3000 B.C.E. to circa 30 B.C.E.:  Egyptian Civilization

Documents from the Egyptian Civilization demonstrates that workers were offered a variety of healthcare benefits, including paid sick days and free visits to physicians.  The records prove that the workers visited three types of medical providers:  the physician, the scorpion charmer and the wise woman.

circa. 1754 B.C.E.:  Code of Hammurabi establishes patient fees and punishment for negligent treatment in Babylonia.

circa 1200 B.C.E. to circa 500 C.E.:  Ancient Greek Civilization 

circa 750 B.C.E. to circa 476 C.E.: Roman Civilization 

The Greeks and Romans  recognized distinction based on education determined who served the masses and who served the elite.  Temple priests who were formally educated served the aristocracy, while common practitioners with less formal medical education served the needs of community members who could afford to pay fees for service.  Finally, the indigent were served by folk practitioners, primarily women, who cultivated their healing herbs and learned from each other the secrets of healing. In fact women were barred for centuries from reading books and attending lectures, thus prohibiting them from entering the recognized practice of medicine."