<P> Anemia is a disease that is caused be a deficiency of iron, where an individual doesn't contain enough red - blood cells to transport sufficient oxygen to the exterior body organs, otherwise known as tissues . Thus, with the surplus of iron in additives such as, tablets, pills, and vegetables, the effects of such a disease can be hindered or even prevented . Furthermore, in relation to wounds, it is often recommended by many doctors and surgeons that patients are encouraged to intake food and medicine that are high in iron to accelerate wound healing . </P> <P> Honey was utilized for its antibacterial properties that helped heal infected wounds . Moreover, honey was used as a topical ointment . Other than glucose, which is another name for sugar, honey also contains a variety of trace amounts of many different vitamins and amino acids, which are also known as proteins . The method used with honey, in regards to assisting medical treatments, mainly wounds, is by pouring and plastering a wholesome amount of it on the area of the wound . This technique will support in the reduction of pain, inflammation, and swelling . Furthermore, the antibacterial features that honey contains also constrain the wound from infection and growth . </P> <P> Various types of alcohol were also used in ancient medical practices . One of the first uses was by the Sumerians, who used beer as an antiseptic along with the dressing of wounds, using up to 19 different types of beer . Other Ancient Arabic cultures, including the Sumerians and Akkadians used wine with sesame infusions, which were "purified and pulverized" before application along with the many beers . Another peoples to take advantage of the cleansing properties of alcohol were the Greeks . They used wine along with boiled water and vinegar to cleanse wounds . The Greeks, specifically Hippocrates (430 - 377 bc), were also the first to establish the four cardinal signs of inflammation: redness, swelling, heat and pain . Alcohol is still in use today as a wound cleanser largely as rubbing alcohol . However the side effects can be skin cell death resulting in inflammation and itchiness at the site of application . </P> <P> There were limited advances that continued throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, but the most profound advances, both technological and clinical, came with the development of microbiology and cellular pathology in the 19th century . </P>

When was alcohol first used as a disinfectant