MEPX
Chapter 5 of 10All chapters
  1. 1How invention happens
  2. 2Ancient technologies
  3. 3Printing and paper
  4. 4Power and machines
  5. 5Medical breakthroughs
  6. 6Communication
  7. 7Computing
  8. 8Feeding more people
  9. 9Scientific discoveries
  10. 10Credit and consequences

Chapter 5 of 10

Medical breakthroughs

The largest gains in life expectancy.

Germs and antisepsis

Understanding that microorganisms cause disease led to antiseptic surgery, clean water and sanitation, which saved more lives than any drug.

  • Vaccination eradicated smallpox, the only such success in humans so far.
  • Anaesthesia made complex surgery survivable.

Antibiotics

Penicillin turned common infections from lethal to routine. Resistance now threatens that gain, which is why prescribing practice matters.