Hippocrates

The Hippocratic Writings are important because they include:

• a natural explanation of the causes of disease (the Theory of the Four Humours)
• natural ways of treating patients
• instructions about how doctors should examine their patients (clinical observation)
• the standards by which doctors should so their job ( the Hippocratic Oath)

However, the Hippocratic writings can be criticised because:

• they tell us little about anatomy and physiology
• they say little about surgery
• many of the ideas could only be followed if you were rich. The writings do little to improve the health of the poor.

The writings insit that patients must be carefully observed and the findings recorded. Doctors had emphasis on studying the patient rather than the diease, they also concentrated on the whole patient - lifestyle such as diet, work, exercise, sleep and environment.

The doctors should;

• ask about the patient's past and present behaviour e.g way of life, work, diet, exercise
• ask the patient about symptoms
• examine the patient carefully: listen to the breathing, take the pulse, take notes of any smells, examine body and any excetions
• ignore nothing
• make a record of eveything