Medicine became so advanced in previous centuries that it is surprising how today's medical discoveries were fueled by those made during the Renaissance. As the mindset of those living in Europe during that time shifted from religion to self-discovery, medical research began to expand and grow towards a more scientific approach. Although many were unable to read, they became more aware of themselves and humanity than their previous religious views on life, prompting them to take a closer look at human anatomy. During the English Renaissance, physicians began to advance the scientific study of medicine leading to the development of modern medical practices and having a more profound impact than in previous eras. Before the Renaissance, medicine and public hospitals were rare. A scant amount of local areas contained any form of medical care, and those that did contain major hospitals treated only the wealthy. They rejected anyone who could not pay, even if they were dying (“History of Medicine” 2011). Some areas also contained sick homes or smaller hospitals, but very few received useful medical care. “None of the 112 sick homes in medieval England provided doctors for their patients, nor did they stock medicines” (“Hospital” 1999). This may be responsible for more than half of the deaths during the medieval and Anglo-Saxon eras. Local barbers were sometimes taken to less traditional hospitals whenever a surgeon or doctor was unavailable (“History of Medicine” 2011). Barbers had little knowledge of surgery which gave them a better chance of killing their patients. Living conditions were already low with cramped houses and poor sanitary conditions; adding the fact...... to the center of the paper....... Post. New York: Reference Macmillan USA, 1999. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Storm. Raymond S. Kellis High School. November 16, 2011.."Renaissance medicine." An online medical dictionary of medical terms and medical diagnosis. MD Health Network. Network. 2009. November 16, 2011. .Shane, C.J., ed. Great medical discoveries. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2004. Print. 239 pages. “The Rise of Scientific Medicine: The Renaissance.” PlanetSEED. Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development, Inc. Web. November 17, 2011. .Yount, Lisa. The history of medicine. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2002. Print. 118 pages.