How modern medicine was made: A century of breakthrough, discovery and invention

Historic image of Alexander Fleming's original "contaminated" plate which led to the discovery of penicillin. Image credit: Biophoto Associates / Science Source

The science and art of doctors healing patients have been around since the dawn of time.

But in the past 100 years, physicians and patients have witnessed medical breakthroughs that to the ancients would seem like magic. The discoveries helped doctors see inside the body, prevent disease, fight it when it occurred and mend broken bones and sickly organs. They also changed how humans viewed their bodies and the world.

As part of Medical Economics’ celebration of the past century of medicine and the physicians who practice it, we interviewed more than a dozen doctors and other experts to discuss the major breakthroughs that changed the course of medicine and human history.

Click here to read part 1: The importance of medical imaging

How modern medicine was made: Table of contents

• Part 1: The importance of medical imaging
• Part 2: The power of vaccination
• Part 3: The history of antibiotic development
• Part 4: The importance of insulin's discovery
• Part 5: The development of surgery and organ transplantation
• Part 6: Military medicine advances health care for soldiers and civilians
• Conclusion: Improving lives