John Mankey Riggs, a name not widely known today, was a pioneer in the dental field. Born in Connecticut, he initially set out to become a church minister. However, he switched paths and enrolled at Jefferson Medical College. After a year, he left the college and became an apprentice to dentist Hora
In the world of heart surgery, there was a big problem: some babies were born with hearts that couldn't pump enough blood to their lungs. This made it hard for them to get the oxygen they needed. A group of clever doctors in Italy had an idea. They thought, what if we connect a big vein to a lung ar
Smartwatches have become more than just gadgets for counting steps. Over the years, they have evolved to include health features that claim to detect serious conditions like atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea. The latest addition is the ability to flag hypertension, a condition that affects about h
Music has always been a part of healing, but now science is showing just how much it can help. In Cleveland, Ohio, cancer patients can ask for a special kind of medicine: live music at their bedside. Studies show that music can make pain feel less intense, reducing it by about 20%. This doesn't mean
In the world of old English texts, Bald's Leechbook stands out as a treasure trove of medical knowledge. This book is like a guide, starting from the head and going down to the feet, filled with herbal remedies and some notes on how well they work. It's not just about herbs though; there are also re
Fainting, or syncope, is a common issue with many possible causes. Some are harmless, while others can be serious. To figure out what's going on, doctors need to ask lots of questions. They want to know how often it happens, what triggers it, and if there are any warning signs. It's not always easy
The story of medicine is often told as a tale of men. But women have always been part of it. They have been patients, healers, and innovators. Yet, their contributions are often overlooked. One such overlooked figure is Dora Gerson. She was a doctor in Dresden. She was one of the first women in Germ
The year was 1812. James K. Polk, a young man at the time, was facing a serious health issue. He had a bladder stone, a painful condition that required immediate attention. The solution? A procedure called lithotomy, performed by Dr. Ephraim McDowell. This was not just any surgery. It was a signific
Dementia is a word that strikes fear into many hearts. For some, it's a personal worry, a specter lurking in the background. Joan Presky is one of those people. She has seen firsthand the toll that Alzheimer's disease can take. Her mother battled it for 14 long years. For the last seven of those yea
Imagine a time when medicine was still finding its feet. John Stearne, born in 1624, was a key figure in this era. He was the first to hold the title of Regius Professor of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. His journey wasn't straightforward, though. Stearne's story begins in Ardbraccan,
