In the early 1800s, hospitals were squalid pits of disease where patients were as likely to die as to be cured. Yet the work of one woman brought about a dramatic change. Florence Nightingale was born to a wealthy family in 1820. But she did not want to lead an idle, pointless life. Instead, she decided to work with the sick, although at that time, many hospitals were sordid, rowdy places. In 1852, after a lot of …showed first 75 words of 2283 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2283 total…in France. Laser beams can now be used instead of scalpels, causing the patient less damage or 'trauma'. In 1893 in America, Daniel Williams performed the first open- heart surgery. Thanks to the contribution of all these men and women in the past, we are now able to live longer and healthier lives free from disease. There is still much that we do not know about our body but everyday we are learning more and more.