Most of science builds on the science of previous years.
Just an example offhand.
Ever heard of Dr. Benjamin Rush?
He was one of the foremost Dr’s in the Colonies at the time of the American Revolution.
He also was a fervent believer in bloodletting in a major way.
I thin it was Hamiton? he attended and his efforts to save the mans life are described now-a-days as “torturing him to death.
In fact the “cutting edge” medicine practiced then in hindsight is pretty much considered “barbaric” in hindsight.