Was there any way to deal with infections in pre-modern times?

History

How did people deal with infections in the past?

For over two thousand years, bloodletting was a standard treatment for almost any ailment, including infectious diseases. In an attempt to alleviate symptoms, bloodletting practitioners used various instruments to withdraw blood from patients, including syringes, lancets, and even leeches.

How were infections treated in the 1800s?

Traditional medical practices during most of the 19th century relied on symptomatic treatment, consisting primarily of bloodletting, blistering, and high doses of mineral poisons. These medical regimens resulted in high rates of death in patients unfortunate enough to undergo treatment.

What did we do for infections before antibiotics?

Arsenicals and sulphonamides, drugs made by chemical tinkering with synthetic dyes, as well as a number of disinfectants made with metal ions toxic to bacteria, such as mercury or copper, were in use well before the introduction of penicillin.
 

How did they treat infections in the Middle Ages?

Cough syrups and drinks were prescribed for chest and head-colds and coughs. Wounds were cleaned and vinegar was widely used as a cleansing agent as it was believed that it would kill disease. Mint was used in treating venom and wounds. Myrrh was used as an antiseptic on wounds.

How were infections treated in the 1920S?

PROGRESSIVE ERA (1890S TO 1920S)



Although this was a time of great advances in knowledge of infectious diseases, treatment for infections still consisted of enemas, topical rubs, and phlebotomy.

Is it possible to fight a bacterial infection without antibiotics?

Antibiotics are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria, but even some bacterial infections get better without antibiotics.

How did they prevent disease in medieval times?

Purifying the air



The miasma theory indicated that unclean air could make people unwell. People tried to prevent disease and illness by cleaning the streets to make sure the air was clean. People would also try to prevent breathing in bad air by: carrying posies – bunches of sweet-smelling herbs and flowers.

How did they treat fever in the 1800s?

In this time before antibiotics*, medicines were often given to treat the symptoms of the sickness, not the sickness itself. For example, there were many pain relievers (opium, morphine, Phenactine, and Acetanilid) and some antipyretics (fever reducers like willow bark and meadowsweet).
 

How was disease prevented in the 19th century?

Preventing disease and illness in industrial England



The first breakthroughs came in the battle against smallpox. Inoculation was useful but it Edward Jenner’s development of vaccination was the first major triumph over an infectious disease, even if it took decades for governments to enforce the use of vaccination.



What is the history of infection control?

Infection control as a formal entity was established in the early 1950s in the United States. By the late 1950s and 1960s, a small number of hospitals began to recognize healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and implemented some of the infection control concepts.
 

How were diseases treated in the 18th and 19th centuries?

Because physicians did not know what caused the disease, they treated the symptoms, often using purgatives like turpentine or castor oil, which in fact, only made the problem worse. The disease was not always fatal. However, it caused many deaths because of time and the treatments used.
 

What did they use to treat infection?

Antibiotics are a group of medicines that are used to treat infections. Antibiotics are sometimes called antibacterials or antimicrobials. Antibiotics can be taken by mouth as liquids, tablets, or capsules, or they can be given by injection.
 

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