Modern Medicine Takes Shape
The early 20th century saw multiple medical breakthroughs happening simultaneously. Alexander Fleming's penicillin discovery, Harold Gillies' plastic surgery innovations, and Marie Curie's work with radiation and X-rays all contributed to modern healthcare.
Marie Curie discovered polonium and radium, leading to the development of X-rays. During WWI, she drove to the front lines with her X-ray machines, helping surgeons locate bullets and shrapnel in wounded soldiers.
These innovations laid the foundation for the NHS (National Health Service), which provided free healthcare for everyone after WWII. The government recognised that keeping people healthy was essential for economic prosperity and social stability.
The combination of new surgical techniques, antibiotics, and diagnostic tools like X-rays created the framework for modern medicine that we still use today.
Connection: All these discoveries happened within 30 years of each other - showing how rapidly medicine can advance during times of crisis.