Health 2.1

What was a key feature of Renaissance medicine compared to the medieval period?

• Greater focus on supernatural causes

• Renewed interest in observation and experimentation

• Increased belief in Galen’s accuracy

• Decline in university medical training

Answer explanation

Renaissance medicine marked a shift towards observation and experimentation, moving away from reliance on supernatural explanations and ancient texts, thus enhancing the scientific approach to understanding health and disease.

Which Renaissance figure famously corrected Galen’s anatomical errors?

• William Harvey

• Andreas Vesalius

• Ambroise Paré

• Thomas Sydenham

Answer explanation

Andreas Vesalius is renowned for his work 'De humani corporis fabrica', where he corrected many of Galen's anatomical errors through direct observation and dissection, laying the foundation for modern anatomy.

How did Vesalius gain accurate knowledge of human anatomy?

• Through dissection of human bodies

• By reading Galen’s original texts

• By experimenting on animals

• By interviewing injured soldiers

Answer explanation

Vesalius gained accurate knowledge of human anatomy primarily through the dissection of human bodies, which allowed him to observe and document anatomical structures directly, challenging previous misconceptions from texts like Galen's.

What was the title of Vesalius’s most important publication?

• The Book of Anatomy

• On the Motions of the Heart

• The Fabric of the Human Body

• The Principles of Physiology

Answer explanation

Vesalius's most significant work, "The Fabric of the Human Body," revolutionized anatomy by providing detailed illustrations and descriptions, making it a cornerstone of modern medical education.

Why was Vesalius’s work significant?

• He encouraged others to question old ideas through dissection

• He discovered the circulation of the blood

• He invented antiseptic surgery

• He developed vaccinations

Answer explanation

Vesalius's work was significant because he promoted the practice of dissection, challenging long-held beliefs about human anatomy and encouraging a more empirical approach to medicine.

Which aspect of surgery did Ambroise Paré revolutionise?

• Use of anaesthetics

• Treatment of wounds with ointment instead of boiling oil

• Amputation using lasers

• Use of antibiotics

Answer explanation

Ambroise Paré revolutionised surgery by introducing the treatment of wounds with ointment instead of the traditional method of using boiling oil, which was painful and less effective.

What did Paré use to tie off blood vessels after amputation?

• Barbed needles

• Ligatures (threads)

• Hot irons

• Clamps and syringes

Answer explanation

Paré used ligatures (threads) to tie off blood vessels after amputation, which was a significant advancement in surgical techniques, allowing for better control of bleeding compared to other methods like hot irons or clamps.

What was one of the risks of using ligatures in surgery?

• Increased risk of infection

• Uncontrollable bleeding

• Burning the surrounding tissue

• Causing hallucinations in patients

Answer explanation

Using ligatures in surgery can increase the risk of infection due to potential contamination at the site of the ligature. This is a significant concern compared to other options like bleeding or tissue damage.

What did William Harvey prove about the circulatory system?

• Blood was created in the liver and absorbed by the body

• The heart pumped blood around the body in a one-way system

• Blood changed into air in the lungs

• Veins and arteries were not connected

Answer explanation

William Harvey proved that the heart pumps blood in a one-way system, circulating it throughout the body. This was a significant advancement in understanding the circulatory system, contrasting with earlier beliefs.

How did Harvey support his ideas on blood circulation?

• He based them on ancient Greek theories

• Through chemical testing of blood

• By dissecting animals and performing experiments

• By consulting religious texts

Answer explanation

Harvey supported his ideas on blood circulation by dissecting animals and performing experiments, which allowed him to observe the heart's function and blood flow, providing empirical evidence for his theories.