University of Groningen
American History: Biographies: James Mc Henry
McHenry was born at Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1753. He enjoyed a classical education at Dublin, and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1771. The following year, the rest of his family came to the colonies, and his brother and...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Elizabeth Blackwell
Encyclopaedia Britannica provides a biography of Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910 CE), the first woman doctor in the United States.
Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada: The Healing Power of Plants
Plants are a source of many human medicines and this exhibit presents information on plants used for healing. There are activities for students such as quizzes, a game where you try to cure patients' ailments, and one where you try to...
University of Virginia
The Surgery of Ancient Rome
This illustrated article dicusses an exhibition on the surgical instruments used by the Roman during ancient times.
Indiana University
Indiana University: The Plague in Athens During the Peloponnesian War
Provides the historic background to Thucydides' description of the death caused by the plague and the efforts made to cure the sick.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Paul Lauterbur
Chemist Paul Lauterbur pioneered the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for medical imaging. He developed a technique, now known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in the early 1970s that involves the introduction of gradients in...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Native American Cultures Across the United States
Students explore different aspects of the cultures of the First Americans in this lesson plan. Stereotypes are often associated with Native Americans through movies and in the context of the Thanksgiving holiday. Specific information and...
Other
American Medical Association
This resource is the homepage of the association responsible for licensing all medical education programs in the US, and setting the standards for medical education, practice, and research. Contains professional and educational resources.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Heart and Blood in Animals
This site from Fordham University has a brief background on William Harvey as well as some documents written by Harvey.
PBS
Pbs Nova Online: The Hippocratic Oath Today
This resource from describes one of the oldest binding documents in history, the Hippocratic Oath. A history of the oath is provided along with information on current uses of the oath.
University of Virginia
Antiqua Medicina: Hippocrates
Short, illustrated essay about Hippocrates and the central role he plays in understanding how medicine was perceived and practiced by the ancient Greeks. [Link back to the Antiqua Medicina home for access to a complete history of...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control: Emerging Infectious Diseases: The Thucydides Syndrome
A detailed description of the symptoms of the plague in Athens and an attempt to diagnose the illness. (Volume 2, Number 2/April 1996)
Canadian Museum of History
Cmc: Crossroads of Culture: Traditional Medicine of Immigrants
This article is only text, so should be used as a source for homework or projects, rather than as an interactive site. Great concise info for younger students who don't need extremely in depth text.
National Institutes of Health
National Library of Medicine: The Marsh Test
The Marsh Test, developed in 1832, was designed to detect poison in drinks. A short history of this test is provided along with photo of the test apparatus.
Other
Opthalmology in Ancient Rome
A short article on the treatment of eye diseases in ancient Rome. There were doctors who specialized in this practice.
Other
History of Science Society
Home page for a group dedicated to understanding science, technology, medicine, and their interactions with society in their historical context.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Plant Cultures: Opium Poppy
Delve into the history, spiritual uses, and medicinal properties of opium in the comprehensive resource.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument finds its home in northeastern California. National Park Services provides an excellent overview filled with details to the rich history, culture, artwork and more.
Read Works
Read Works: Old Time Operations
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text and timeline about ancient dentistry and surgeries. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Soldiers in the Civil War
Describes what life was like for soldiers during the Civil War.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Willem Einthoven
Willem Einthoven invented a string galvanometer that lead to the electrocardiogram, which measures heart activity. For his discovery, Einthoven was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1924.
Other
Kettering Science Academy; Medieval Civilisation [Pdf]
A 34-page summarization of key events and issues in the history of medicine and public health since medieval times.
Other
Museum of Health Care: Joint Replacement
This is a fascinating exhibit on the history of joint replacement. According to the resource, 40,000 Canadians need a joint replaced each year. Look at some of the materials used in the past and today, how orthopedic surgeons learned...
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Abpi: Infectious Diseases: Timeline
An interactive timeline of important events in medical technology history. Click on an event to read more about a notable event or famous person who studied medicine. Includes a self-checking quiz at the end of the lesson.