- Vaccination: The development and widespread use of vaccines has saved millions of lives and dramatically reduced the incidence of many infectious diseases, including smallpox, polio, measles, and rubella.
- Antiseptics and antibiotics: The discovery of antiseptics and antibiotics revolutionized surgery and treatment of infectious diseases. Joseph Lister pioneered the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic in the 1860s, leading to a dramatic reduction in surgical infections. In the 1920s and 1930s, Alexander Fleming, Howard Florey, and Ernst Chain discovered penicillin and other antibiotics, marking the beginning of the antibiotic era.
- Blood transfusion: The development of safe and effective blood transfusion techniques has allowed for life-saving transfusions during surgeries, accidents, and medical procedures.
- Organ transplantation: The first successful organ transplantation was performed in 1954, when Joseph Murray transplanted a kidney between identical twins. Organ transplantation has since become a common medical procedure, offering new hope for patients with failing organs.
- Imaging techniques: The invention and development of X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound have revolutionized medical diagnosis by providing detailed images of internal organs and structures, allowing for early detection and diagnosis of diseases.
- Surgical techniques: Advances in surgical techniques, such as minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy and arthroscopy) and robotic surgery, have reduced surgical trauma, improved outcomes, and allowed for faster recovery times.
- Gene therapy: The ability to manipulate genes offers the potential for treating genetic disorders and diseases by correcting or replacing faulty genes. Though still in its early stages, gene therapy holds significant promise for the future of medicine.
- Regenerative medicine: This field focuses on repairing, regenerating, or replacing damaged tissues and organs, and includes techniques like stem cell therapy and tissue engineering.
- Pharmacology: The 20th century saw the development of numerous life-changing drugs and treatments, including chemotherapy for cancer, insulin for diabetes, antibiotics, statins for cholesterol control, and antipsychotics for mental illness.
- Public health measures: The implementation of public health policies and initiatives, such as improved sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition, has significantly reduced the burden of infectious diseases and improved overall health outcomes.