jan 1, 1676 - Thomas Sydenham

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Renaissance physician Thomas Sydenham, dubbed the 'English Hippocrates', believed you could learn more about disease through clinical observation of a patient and their symptoms and practical experience, than from theoretical knowledge and books written by ancient physicians. He is known for his detailed observations and records, as well as classifying diseases, distinguishing scarlet fever from measles, and introducing laudanum to relieve pain. In 1676 he published his book Observations Medicae in the Royal Society, in which he rejected the Theory of the Four Humours and described medical conditions to help doctors diagnose patients easily. It was used as a textbook by doctors for the next 200 years.

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