Marvels in Medicine
Question sheet
1. Infections in the past were leading causes of death. The antibiotic revolution improved mortality rates
from bacterial infections.
a. What type of drug was used before antibiotics were discovered? See if you can find out what it was?
b. What was the first Antibiotic drug discovered? When was it discovered?
c. What other Antibiotic drugs were discovered after penicillin?
d. The Antibiotic revolution resulted in many infectious diseases being cured. What are they?
e. Some infections that have ravaged the world were eradicated by ‘mass immunisations’. What are
some examples of diseases that have all but been eradicated by ‘mass immunisations’?
f. The purpose of immunisations is to support the immune system by pre-empting infections. How was
the immune response to infections found?
g. How does the immunisation support the immune system.
2. Penicillin is one of the greatest discoveries in medicine.
a. How was penicillin discovered?
b. What are ‘superbugs’?
c. What is Golden Staph?
d. What are some strategies to prevent ‘antibiotic resistance’?
3. Sedation is of significant importance to effective surgery.
a. What forms did sedation take during surgical procedures in the mid 1800’s and earlier?
b. What was the attitude towards sedation during child birth?
c. What when and where was the first form of sedation during surgery?
d. What is the significance of ‘chloroform’ in medical history?
e. What are the benefits of the most recent forms of sedation?
f. How does modern sedation work? (Research outside of text)
4. Genetics is the cutting edge of modern medicine.
a. What does DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) do?
b. Research and knowledge of DNA has provided benefits in two significant areas. Explain them.