PRINCIPLES IN MLS PRACTICE 1
Title of the lesson: HISTORY OF MEDTECH PROFESSION
Date: September 2019
Transcriber/s: Chang Chien & de Pablo
OUTLINE
• History of MedTech in a Global Context
• History of MedTech in US
• History of Medtech in Philippines
• Inventions & Innovations in the Field of MedLab
HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROFESSION
300 BC – 180 AD
• HIPPOCRATES
o Father of Medicine
o Adopted the Triad of Regimen in treating
disease and infection.
o Drugs
o Surgery
o Blood transfusion
• GALEN
o Greek Physician and Philosopher
o Measured the Body Fluids (Four
Humors)
o Blood – Hemoglobin rich in protein
o Phlegm – Clear Plasma
o Yellow Bile – Residue (Bilirubin)
o Black Bile – Platelets & Clotting factor
o Describe diabetes as “Diarrhea of Urine.”
o Polyuria – Excessive amount of Urine
o Oliguria – Low Amount of Urine
o Anuria – Absence of Urine
o Nocturia – Excessive amount of Urine
during Night time.
o 2000ml – Standard / Average amount of
Urine per day#
o Normal Color of Urine – Pale Yellow to
Yellow
o Blood – River of Life
o “Water Casting” (Uroscopy) was widely
practiced in medieval Europe for
diagnosis.
• Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
o Father of Microbiology and Microscopy
o First to discover RBC
o Routine Laboratory Procedure
o Blood – Complete Blood Count
o Urine – Urinalysis
o Fecal – Fecalysis
900 AD
• The first book (entitled De Urinis) detailing the
characteristics of Urine (e.g., Color, density and
Quality) was written.
11TH CENTURY
• Medical practitioners were not allowed to conduct
physical examination of the Patient’s Body.
18TH CENTURY
• Mechanical techniques and cadaver dissection
were used to provide accurate diagnosis to
understand the insides of the body.
19TH CENTURY – 20TH CENTURY
• Machines are used for diagnosis or therapeutics
• JOHN HUTCHINSON
o Invented “Spirometer” for measuring the
vital capacity of the lungs
• JULES HERRISON
o Invented “Sphygmomanometer” for
measuring blood pressure.
• 1666 or late 17th Century
o The first practical Microscope was
devised by Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek to
developed medical purposes due to
advances in lenses and lower costs.
• 1816
o Rene Laennec Invented the stethoscope,
the first diagnostic medical breakthrough
used to acquire information about the
lungs and heartbeats
• 1850
o Hermann von Helmholz invented
Ophthalmoscope, the first visual
technology.
• 1855
o Laryngoscope devised by Manuel Garcia
using two mirrors to observe the throat
and larynx
• 1859
o Wilhelm Roentgen invented X-ray to
allow physicians to view the insides of
the body without surgery; used to
diagnose Pneumonia, pleurisy
(Inflammation of Pleural Cavity caused
by viral infection), and Tuberculosis.
1 of 5

• 1903
o Electrocardiograph developed by William
Einthoven to measure electrical changes
during the beating of the heart
• 1910
o Kenny Method served as the pioneering
work for modern physical theraphy;
devised by Elizabeth Kenny in the
treatment of Polio (Infantile Paralysis)
using hot packs and muscle
manipulation; prompted the invention of
a new stretcher (called Sylvia stretcher in
1927) intended for transporting patients
in shock.
• 1927
o Drinker respirator invented by Philip
Drinker to help patients with Paralytic
anterior poliomyelitis recover normal
respiration with the assistance of artificial
respirator.
• 1939
o Heart – Lung Machine first visual
technology invented by John Gibbon
• 1941
o Cardiac catheterization and Angiography
first operated by Forsmann in 1929;
developed by Moniz, Reboul, Rousthoi
between 1930 and 1940 and was
discovered safe for humans by
Cournand; made for seeing the heart,
lung vessels and valves possible through
inserting a cannula in an arm vein and
into the heart with an injection of
radiopaque dye for X-ray visualization.
o The Electron Microscope gave way to
the visualization of small cells including
tumor cells. The adaption of computers
in medical researches led to the
development of Tomography and
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN US
• 1895
o The University of Pennsylvania’s William
Pepper Laboratory of Clinical Medicine
was opened to highlight the service role
of clinical laboratories
• 1918
o John Kolmer called for the development
of a method that would certify Medical
Technologist on a National Scale.
o Kolmer Published the The Demand for
and Training of Laboratory Technicians.
• 1920
o The administrative units of clinical
laboratories in large hospitals were
directed by a Chief Physician
o Clinical Laboratories are divided into 4 to
5 divisions including Clinical Pathology,
Bacteriology, Microbiology, Serology and
Radiology.
• 1922
o The American Society for Clinical
Pathology (ASCP) was founded with the
objective of encouraging the cooperation
between physicians and clinical
pathologists.
o ASCP established the Code of Ethics for
technicians and technologists stating that
these allied health professionals should
work under the supervision of Physician.
• 1950
o Medical Technologists in the United
States sought professional recognition
from the government of their educational
qualifications through Licensure Laws.
HISTORY OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
• 1565
o Hospital Real in Cebu was moved to
Manila to Cater military patients.
• 1578
o The Franciscans built the San Lazaro
Hospital for the poor and lepers
• 1596
o The Hospital de San Juan de Dios was
founded for the poor Spaniards.
• 1641
o The Hospital de San Jose was founded
in GMA, Cavite.
• 1611
o The Dominicans founded the University
of Santo Tomas in which in 1871
established the First Faculties of
Pharmacy and Medicine.
o Journals of Science and Medicine were
also published including the Boletin de
2 of 5
 Medicina de Manila (1886), the Revista
Farmaceutica de Filipinas (1893), and
Cronicas de Ciencias Medicas (1895)
• 1876
o Provincial medical officers were
appointed to provide Health care
services throughout the country.
• 1883
o The Board of Health and Charity was
established and was expanded in 1886.
• 1887
o The Laboratorio Municipal de Manila was
established by the Spanish Authorities
for laboratory examinations of Food,
water and clinical samples headed by
General Antonio Luna as chemical
expert in this Laboratory.
19TH CENTURY
• The Spaniards, who were considered to be
authorities in Medicine, started exploring the
microbial causes of diseases.
• 1898
o The Spanish Military Hospital was
converted into the First Reserve Hospital
by Lt. Col. Henry Lipincott who was a
Chief Surgeon of the Division of the
Pacific and Eighth Army Corps.
• 1901
o The US Government, through the
Philippine Commission, established a
Bureau of Government Laboratories
under the Philippine Commission Act No.
156.
• 1905
o The Bureau of Science was established
for medical officers who sought a career
in laboratory research.
• 1914
o The Bureau worked with the Army Board
for the Study of the Tropical Diseases
until the latter was disbanded.
• 1915
o The Board of Health established by the
Americans was changed into the Bureau
of Health and was reorganized into the
Philippine Health Service but later on
reverted to the Bureau of Health by
1933.
• 1927
o The University of the Philippines’ College
of Public Health (UPCPH) formally opend
its Certificate in Health Program in June
1927 with the aim to provide proper
training to the Philippine Health Service’s
Medical Officers.
• December 8, 1941
o Japan attacked the whole of Manila
through aerial assault and deployment of
troops just ten hours after the bombing of
Pearl Harbor.
• June 18, 1942
o The 3rd Medical Laboratory was the first
laboratory unit to be assigned in the
South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
• 1944
o US forces landed in Leyte, the
laboratories including the 3rd, 5th and
8th Medical Laboratories and the 19th
Medical Laboratory were relocated to the
West Pacific Area.
o Added to the list were the 26th and 27th
Medical Laboratories and the 363rd
Medical Composite Detachment.
o The 19th Medical General Laboratory,
3rd Medical Laboratory, and the 363rd
Medical Composite Detachment
operated in Leyte.
o 26th Medical Laboratory operated in
Tacloban and 27th Medical Laboratory
operated in Lingayen Gulf.
o The First Clinical Laboratory in the
Philippines (also known as the 26th
Medical Labortory of the 6th US Army):
now known as Manila Public Health
Laboratory and is located at 208
Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.
• June 1945
o The US Army left and the laboratory was
endorsed to the National Department of
Health and was non-operational until it
was reopened in October of the same
year by Dr. Pio de Roda with the help of
Manila City Health Officer Dr. Mariano
Icasiano
o Dr. Pio de Roda along with Dr. Prudencia
Sta.Ana, conducted a training program
for aspiring laboratory workers.
3 of 5
 • 1954 • 1857
o The Training program ended when the o Louis Pasteur, successfully produced
Bureau of Private Education approved a immunity to Rabies
Four-year course in Bachelor of Science • 1866
in Medical Technology. o Gregor Mendel, enunciated his Law of
o Manila Sanitarium Hospital (MSH) Inherited characteristics from studies on
opened the first school of Medical plants.
Technology in the Philippines under the • 1870
leadership of Mrs. Willa Hedrick, wife of o Joseph Lister
Dr. Elvin Hedrick in partnership with o Demonstrated that surgical infections are
Antoinette Mckelvey. caused by airborne organisms
o Philippine Union Colege (PUC) in Baesa, • 1877
Caloocan City now (Adventist University o Robert Koch
of the Philippines) absorbed MSH’s o Presented the first pictures of Bacilli
school of Medical Technology (Anthrax), and later Tubercle Bacilli
• Dr. Jesse Umali (Mycorium Tuberculosis)
o First Graduate of Medical Technology • 1886
Program o Elie Metchnikoff
o Graduate Doctor of Medicine at the Far o Described phagocytes in blood and their
Eastern University (FEU) and became a role of fighting infection
successful OB-gynecologist in the US • Ernst von Bergmann
• 1957 o Introduced Steam Sterilization in Surgery
o University of Santo Tomas initially • 1902
offered the Medical Technology course o Karl Landsteiner
as an elective for pharmacy students o Distinguished blood groups through the
• 1961 development of the ABO Blood Group
o Medical Technology was recognized as System.
an official program in UST. • 1906
o Von Wassermann， Developed
INVETIONS & INNOVATIONS IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL LABORATORY immunologic test for Syphilis
• 1660 or late 17th Century • Howard Ricketts
o Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek o Discovered microorganisms whose
o Father of Microbiology; known for his range lies between bacteria and viruses
work on the improvement of the called Rickettsiae.
Microscope • 1929
• 1796 o Hans Fischer， worked out the structure
o Edward Jenner of Hemoglobin (Heme + Iron)
o Discovered Vaccination to establish • 1954
immunity to small pox; o Jonas Salk, Developed Poliomyelitis
o Impact of Contribution: Immunology Vaccine
• 1880 • 1973
o Marie Francois Xavier Bichat o James Westgard
o Identified organs by types of tissues: o Introduced the Westgard rules for quality
o Impact of Contribution: Histology control in the Clinical Laboratory
• 1835 • 1980
o Agostino Bassi o Baruch Samuel Blumberg, introduced the
o Produced disease in worms through Hepatitis B Vaccine
injection of organic material – the
beginning of bacteriology

4 of 5
 • 1985
o Kary Mullis, developed the Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR); used to amplify
DNA
• 1992
o Andre van Steirteghem
o Introduced the Intracytoplasmic Sperm
Injection (IVF)
• 1998
o James Thomson, derived the first human
Stem Cell line.

REFERENCE/S:

• Benitez, Petrona A. et.al., Principles of Medical Laboratory

Science 1. C & E Publishing, Inc., 2019.

5 of 5