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2 Dec 2025
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Edexcel GCSE History: Medicine Through Time Overview
Angel
@angel_ovia
1 / 4
Section A: Western Front Questions
Question 1 (4 marks) is your warm-up - just describe two features and add proper detail. Don't rush this easy starter!
For Question 2a (8 marks), you've got a solid 15 minutes to tackle the "how useful" question. Start by explaining what the source tells you, then quote directly - no comparisons needed yet. Next, bring in your own historical knowledge to show off what you've learnt.
The NOP method is your secret weapon here. Analyse the Nature (what type of source is it?), Origin (who made it and when?), and Purpose (why was it created?). Each element makes the source more or less useful, so explain how. Finish with an overall judgement - is it somewhat, very, or not very useful?
Top Tip: Always link your NOP analysis back to the original question - don't just describe the source features!
Question 2b (4 marks) is about following up your investigation. Find a relevant quote, ask a smart follow-up question, choose a historical source that could help, then explain exactly how it would give you more information.
Section B: Medicine Through Time Questions
Question 3 (4 marks) tests similarities or differences across time periods. Always label your dates clearly, then pick one similarity or difference and back it up with evidence from both time periods you're comparing.
Question 4 (12 marks) needs three solid PEE paragraphs (Point, Evidence, Explain). This is where your knowledge of medical developments really shines through.
The big one is Question 5 (20 marks) - the interpretation judgement question. Structure it like a proper essay: introduction, main paragraphs (one agreeing, one disagreeing), and conclusion.
In your conclusion, state your opinion using phrases like "I partly agree" or "I don't fully agree." Use PEE structure, sum up your argument, pick the side you support most, then explain why the counter-argument is wrong.
Remember: You don't have to completely agree or disagree - nuanced answers often score higher!
Key Medical Figures You Need to Know
The ancient period gave us the foundations. Hippocrates created the Four Humours theory and the Hippocratic Oath, earning him the title "Father of Modern Medicine." Galen expanded this with his Theory of Opposites and wrote hundreds of anatomy books that dominated medicine for centuries.
The Renaissance brought major breakthroughs. Vesalius (1514-1564) revolutionised anatomy with "On the Fabric of the Human Body," proving many of Galen's theories wrong. William Harvey discovered blood circulation in 1628, whilst Leeuwenhoek improved microscopes and spotted bacteria for the first time.
Modern medicine exploded with discoveries. Louis Pasteur's germ theory (1861) changed everything, leading to vaccines for cholera, anthrax and rabies. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, but it was Florey and Chain who made it work through human trials in 1941. Watson and Crick cracked DNA's structure in 1953, opening up genetic medicine.
Don't forget the public health heroes - John Snow proved cholera spread through dirty water, Florence Nightingale transformed nursing, and Aneurin Bevan established the NHS in 1948.
Exam Hack: Learn the dates and link each figure to their time period's medical challenges!
Understanding Historical Sources
You'll encounter loads of different source types in your exam, and knowing what each one offers is crucial for those analysis questions.
Official sources like army instruction manuals, government records, and military service records give you the "official story" but might miss the harsh realities. Hospital records and casualty records provide hard facts and statistics that are brilliant for understanding medical developments on the Western Front.
Unofficial sources often tell the real story. Soldiers' diaries and doctors' personal accounts reveal genuine experiences and medical conditions. Letters, postcards, and poems like "Dulce et Decorum Est" show you what people actually thought and felt.
Visual sources like photographs, sketches, and maps can be incredibly useful for understanding medical facilities and conditions. However, remember that paintings might be romanticised, whilst newspaper reports could be censored or biased.
Source Analysis Tip: Always consider who created the source and why - this affects how reliable and useful it is for your enquiry!
The key is matching the right source type to your historical enquiry and understanding both the strengths and limitations each one brings.
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Most popular content in History
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Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Edexcel GCSE History: Medicine Through Time Overview
Angel
@angel_ovia
Get ready to nail your History: Medicine Through Time exam! This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know for each question type, from the 4-mark features questions to the challenging 20-mark essays, plus all the key medical figures... Show more
Section A: Western Front Questions
Question 1 (4 marks) is your warm-up - just describe two features and add proper detail. Don't rush this easy starter!
For Question 2a (8 marks), you've got a solid 15 minutes to tackle the "how useful" question. Start by explaining what the source tells you, then quote directly - no comparisons needed yet. Next, bring in your own historical knowledge to show off what you've learnt.
The NOP method is your secret weapon here. Analyse the Nature (what type of source is it?), Origin (who made it and when?), and Purpose (why was it created?). Each element makes the source more or less useful, so explain how. Finish with an overall judgement - is it somewhat, very, or not very useful?
Top Tip: Always link your NOP analysis back to the original question - don't just describe the source features!
Question 2b (4 marks) is about following up your investigation. Find a relevant quote, ask a smart follow-up question, choose a historical source that could help, then explain exactly how it would give you more information.
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Improve your grades
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Section B: Medicine Through Time Questions
Question 3 (4 marks) tests similarities or differences across time periods. Always label your dates clearly, then pick one similarity or difference and back it up with evidence from both time periods you're comparing.
Question 4 (12 marks) needs three solid PEE paragraphs (Point, Evidence, Explain). This is where your knowledge of medical developments really shines through.
The big one is Question 5 (20 marks) - the interpretation judgement question. Structure it like a proper essay: introduction, main paragraphs (one agreeing, one disagreeing), and conclusion.
In your conclusion, state your opinion using phrases like "I partly agree" or "I don't fully agree." Use PEE structure, sum up your argument, pick the side you support most, then explain why the counter-argument is wrong.
Remember: You don't have to completely agree or disagree - nuanced answers often score higher!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Key Medical Figures You Need to Know
The ancient period gave us the foundations. Hippocrates created the Four Humours theory and the Hippocratic Oath, earning him the title "Father of Modern Medicine." Galen expanded this with his Theory of Opposites and wrote hundreds of anatomy books that dominated medicine for centuries.
The Renaissance brought major breakthroughs. Vesalius (1514-1564) revolutionised anatomy with "On the Fabric of the Human Body," proving many of Galen's theories wrong. William Harvey discovered blood circulation in 1628, whilst Leeuwenhoek improved microscopes and spotted bacteria for the first time.
Modern medicine exploded with discoveries. Louis Pasteur's germ theory (1861) changed everything, leading to vaccines for cholera, anthrax and rabies. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, but it was Florey and Chain who made it work through human trials in 1941. Watson and Crick cracked DNA's structure in 1953, opening up genetic medicine.
Don't forget the public health heroes - John Snow proved cholera spread through dirty water, Florence Nightingale transformed nursing, and Aneurin Bevan established the NHS in 1948.
Exam Hack: Learn the dates and link each figure to their time period's medical challenges!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Understanding Historical Sources
You'll encounter loads of different source types in your exam, and knowing what each one offers is crucial for those analysis questions.
Official sources like army instruction manuals, government records, and military service records give you the "official story" but might miss the harsh realities. Hospital records and casualty records provide hard facts and statistics that are brilliant for understanding medical developments on the Western Front.
Unofficial sources often tell the real story. Soldiers' diaries and doctors' personal accounts reveal genuine experiences and medical conditions. Letters, postcards, and poems like "Dulce et Decorum Est" show you what people actually thought and felt.
Visual sources like photographs, sketches, and maps can be incredibly useful for understanding medical facilities and conditions. However, remember that paintings might be romanticised, whilst newspaper reports could be censored or biased.
Source Analysis Tip: Always consider who created the source and why - this affects how reliable and useful it is for your enquiry!
The key is matching the right source type to your historical enquiry and understanding both the strengths and limitations each one brings.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content in History
Most popular content
English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user