Medicine is the science and art of preserving health and treating illness. Medicine is a science because it is based on knowledge gained through careful study and experimentation. It is an art because its success depends on how skillfully medical professionals apply their knowledge in dealing with patients.
The goals of medicine include saving lives, relieving suffering, and maintaining the dignity of sick people. These goals have made medicine one of the most respected professions. Thousands of men and women who work in medicine spend their lives caring for the sick. When disaster strikes, health workers rush emergency aid to the injured. When epidemics threaten, doctors and nurses work to prevent the spread of illness. Medical researchers search continually for better ways to prevent and treat disease.
Illness has existed since human beings and their ancestors first appeared on earth. Through most of human existence, people knew little about how the body works or what causes disease. Treatment was based largely on superstition and guesswork. People slowly gained their first accurate ideas about health and illness as the great ancient civilizations arose in the Middle East, India, China, Greece, and Rome.
In the last few centuries, medicine has progressed greatly. Medical workers have improved health care for adults and children and brought many infectious diseases under control. Thousands of new drugs and procedures have been developed. These advances, combined with better nutrition, sanitation, and living conditions, have given people a longer life expectancy. In the mid-1900's, most people did not live past the age of 50. Today, the worldwide average life span is about 65 years, according to the World Health Organization.
Medical care is often considered part of the larger field of health care. In addition to medical care, health care includes the services provided by dentists, clinical psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and many other professionals.
