3 men who made syringes a success story 

Syringes are no longer just a tool for the healthcare industry. They have found their way into other areas of our daily lives too. From cooking to DIY projects, syringes have become a versatile instrument for injecting liquids into a variety of materials. However, have you ever wondered about the origins of this remarkable invention? The history of syringes dates back to 129 CE when it was used for the first time by a Greek physician named Galen. Since then, syringes have gone through multiple transformations, thanks to the brilliant minds of various inventors. Today, modern syringes are a crucial tool for administering medication, delivering vaccinations and diagnosing illnesses. Come, let’s delve into the history of the modern syringe and meet its inventors who contributed to its development! 

Ancient syringes and Blaise Pascal’s invention 
In the past, syringes were quite different from the ones we are accustomed to, today. They did not have a needle attached to them and were primarily used for applying medical ointments. Descriptions about this have been found in the books written by Galen, a Greek physician in 129 CE. The plunger portion of these syringes was used to apply medicine to a specific area. However, they were not intended for injection purposes. These early syringes were widely used in the removal of cataracts from the eye! They were constructed using a variety of materials, such as hollow reeds, glass tubes or even goose quills. Can you even imagine your doctor injecting you with a syringe made up of a goose quill? What a long way we have come since then! But it wasn't until 1650 that Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, laid the foundation for modern syringes with his invention of the first syringe capable of infusing medicine. This innovation paved the way for other inventors to contribute to the evolution of syringes. Let’s meet the other two contributors! 

Alexander Wood 
The Scottish doctor Alexander Wood is credited with inventing and using the first hypodermic (under the skin) syringe on a patient in 1853. Prior to him, in 1844, Irish doctor Francis Rynd invented the first hypodermic needle. A hypodermic needle is a very thin and sharp needle that can go inside your skin to inject medicine. It was Alexander Wood who attached the needle to a plunger and administered medicine, thus pioneering the use of syringes in medicine. His breakthrough came when he injected pain medication directly into the source of a woman's severe neuralgia, a condition caused by nerve damage. This revolutionary treatment using his newly invented hypodermic syringe changed the face of medicine forever! Patients in need could now receive targeted treatment thanks to the hypodermic syringe. So, Alexander Wood's hypodermic syringe became an essential tool in the fight against pain and disease! 

Charles Pravaz 
While Alexander Wood was busy easing people's pain with his syringe invention, another doctor from the other side of the world had also invented a similar device. Charles Pravaz, a French orthopaedic surgeon, came up with a syringe around the same time as Wood did. However, there were some differences between both these syringe models. Wood's syringe was made of glass and had a plunger that allowed for precise measurement and control of dosages. On the other hand, Pravaz's syringe was made of silver, which made it impossible to see the contents and was harder to regulate the amount of medication administered. Instead of a plunger, Pravaz's device used a screw to inject small and measured amounts into the skin. That's why Alexander is the one who is usually credited for creating this amazing device. As time passed, syringes underwent further enhancements, such as measurement markings on their sides. These markings give medical professionals even more precision in dosing, making it easier to deliver the right amount of medicine to patients. Thanks to the contributions of both Alexander Wood and Charles Pravaz, we can now get the medicine we need without fear! Their impact on modern medicine is immeasurable!