Until the end of the 18th century, and even into the first decades of the 19th century, medicine in almost no aspects resembled the highly specialised science that we know today. The role of doctors was often performed by various quacks, healers and barber-surgeons, who had little knowledge of not only diagnosis methods and treatment, but even anatomy. Hospitals were more akin to houses of recovery or shelters in which treatment often came down to using a strengthening diet. Attention to hygiene was rare, tools were not washed after subsequent treatments, not to mention their sterilisation.
A doctor who had just performed an autopsy would head straight to deliver a baby. The thought of decontaminating his hands would not even cross his mind. It was not until the 19th century, or rather its second half, that revolutionary changes occurred in medicine as a science and practice of treating diseases and injuries. Undoubtedly, this century was a milestone in the development of medicine, especially in Europe. Of course, it was brought about by many factors, but the most important among them was the flourishing of natural sciences, primarily biology, chemistry and physics, as well as advances in technology.
It resulted in many breakthrough discoveries that would forever change the methods of diagnosis and treatment. Basing on related sciences, medicine became increasingly professionalised and specialised.
The demographic explosion on the continent also played a significant role. It became crucial to organise specialised medical care for this large group of people, which would be based on scientific achievements and capable of prescribing effective treatment. In response to these needs, the modern institution of hospital was created, whose primary role was no longer to provide care to the poor and the elderly Hospital , but to treat the sick Krankenhaus.
The increasingly impressive hospital complexes were organised according to secular standards, like machines operating efficiently in every aspect. Although the processes described above affected almost the whole Europe, the greatest successes in this field were achieved by German-speaking countries.
