The Evolution of Medicine: A Journey to the Self

The history of medicine can be viewed through a three-part lens, with the first part, spanning until the early 20th century, focusing on the natural origins of medicinal compounds. Early medicines were predominantly derived from natural sources, including plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and minerals. Key examples illustrate this point; aspirin originates from willow bark, quinine from a tree, morphine from the opium poppy, penicillin from mold, and the first vaccine from cowpox. This historical narrative underscores the reliance on nature in the foundational development of medical science.

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