Greek Medicine

Greek Medicine

1. Asclepions

   • Asclepios: god of healing
   • Asclepion: temple (part of Ascelpeia)
   • Ascelpeia: A place where ill people went to relax, built in quiet places

2. Hippocrates

   • 4 seasons
     • Phlegm: Winter (sneezing, colds)
     • Blood: Spring (nosebleeds)
     • Black bile: Autumn (dry skin, vomiting and diarrhea)
     • Yellow Bile: Summer (fevers, vomiting, yellow bile)
   • Clinical observation
     • He showed importance of observation and careful recording
     • Could be used for future patients
   • The Hippocratic Oath
     • Ensures high standards
     • Still used today
     • For benefit of patient (not money)

3. Who treated the sick?

   • Women not allowed to study medicine
   • Mothers/ wives

4. Surgery

   • 1200 BC: iron and steel gave doctors better equipment
   • Few operations outside body (except draining of lungs for pneumonia)