Greatest Health Advance of 20th Century

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I was watching "the West Wing" tonight, and someone made the claim that the eradication of smallpox was the greatest health advance of the 20th century. I thought -- what a stupid thing to say. I knew right away what I thought the greatest health advance of the 20th century was, and I thought it was a no-brainer. In fact, I thought everyone knew what it was -- but nope.

So maybe it isn't as clear-cut as I thought.

So tell me: What do you consider to be the greatest health advance of the 20th century -- that single greatest contribution of medicine towards eliminating misery in the world?

 

penicillin

 

Wasnt that invented in the 19th century dear Bel? True it didnt became wildly used until WWI but I am almost sure that it was discovered in the late 19th century. But as in many other things I am known to be wrong so I make no statement.

The greatest accomplishment that I see in health care is that we HAVE a health care sytem. We didnt have a very good one just 100 years ago. So I would say that the general improvment is the greatest accomplishment.

 

The health care system is a good one, Joacqin. If that doesn't fit Methylviolet's toppic then'll go for penicilin too. Yep I can't save you from this one, Joacqin. I don't know what source you have, but something is missunderstood along that line.

Alexander Fleming discovered an antibacterial enzyme in tear and nasal secrete, lysozome, in 1922 by incident. He studied a mold culture which had contaminated his laboratory where he studied staphylococcus. A bacterium which causes desease. Everywhere the mold grew the staphylococci (bacteria) would perish.
In 1928 he had the reason. Penicilin. In 1941 it was ready for shipment.

I think you got WW1 and two mixed up somehow. It saved countless lives in WW2.

[This message has been edited by ArchAngel (edited April 25, 2002).]

 

Thanks for the history lession ArchAngle

The greatest health advance of the 20th century I think would have to be the pill or the neadle.

 

Definately penicillin.

 

Breast implants

 

For some women it's breast reduction.

 

They call that an advance?

 

Ahhh I stand corrected Archman, I have no source other than my mind and that had for some reason put Flemings nastyness and inability to clean in the late 19th century.

 

No, no, no, no. I think you're thinking of the word enhance .

 

Shralp, you consistently crack me up.

 

I didn't know when penicillin was invented...but it's still a nice advance. But I'm changing my answer to "support" Shralp's position with breast implants!!! They're fun for everyone involved!!!!

 

Penicillin is good, that I grant -- I might put it second on the list. But, ah, I am dismayed to find only one vote for what is, to my mind, the clear winner.

The Pill. Duh. Really, reliable birth control in general, as there are better things than the pill now.

After all, Shralp, those breast implants might become less attractive to you if they were responsible for your being the father of fifteen children.

 

A pill isn't a medicament in itself it is just a carrier, why not injections then? or electricity? Think about hospitals without electricity. But ok. I'll buy it. if it isn't extacy

[By "The Pill" (notice the caps) she means oral contraceptives - BTA]

[This message has been edited by Blackthorne TA (edited April 25, 2002).]

 

Fifteen children is a good start.

Birth control is the tool of the devil.

 

Shralp, not if the birth control is babysitting someone else's children (ie: nieces and nephews). That, in itself, is a blessing in disguise

 

I would say that running water is the greatest medical advance...you know like flushing toilets...

 

Sapiryl - Not to burst your bubble or anything, but running water was developed by the Romans almost 2 thousand years ago! They didn't have the cool flushing action, but some richer estates did have and and cold running water as well as heated floors!!!

 

Actually, I think that being able to wipe out smallpox is a pretty big step towards saving lives. Think about it, it means that with modern technology, diseases that have killed and made people sick can be eradicated, and their only threat is if some terrorists somehow get a hold of the eradicated disease and unleash on a population.