Periodization of the history of a research object serves not only as a general guide to a researcher but also reflects his methodology. The author discusses the main methodological issues in the periodization of medical history in a historiography. In relation to the history of medicine, these include the use of analysis principles that are characteristic for universal history, an understanding of the history of medicine as a “healing art”, commitment to the theory of conflict between science and religion, as well as the use of periodization schemes developed for other scientific disciplines.