A brief history of wound care

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006 Jun;117(7 Suppl):6S-11S. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000225429.76355.dd.

Abstract

Since the caveman, man has been tending to his wounds. Wound care evolved from magical incantations, potions, and ointments, to a systematic text of wound care and surgery from Hippocrates and Celsus. These advances were lost after the fall of the Roman Empire. In Europe, the Middle Ages were a regression of wound care back to potions and charms. It was'nt until the time of large armies using muskets and cannons that surgical wound care emerged again. This article will briefly highlight major milestones in wound care.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • History, 16th Century
  • History, 17th Century
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, Ancient
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans
  • Military Medicine / history
  • Surgical Wound Infection / history*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy
  • Wound Healing / drug effects
  • Wound Healing / physiology*
  • Wounds and Injuries / history*
  • Wounds and Injuries / physiopathology
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy