Medicine through time: Part 1, the Ancient Greeks

Medicine through time

1)      The Greeks

CAUSE OF DISEASE

-Gods- the Greeks had many Gods.

- They had a God for healing- his name was, Asclepius (or alternatively known as Asklepios).

- Asclepius had 4 daughters, the 2 main: Panacea (the goddess of universal health) & Hygeia (Hygiene)

-Temple dedicated to Asclepius- called a Asclepion- visitors slept in the temple at night- in hopes to be cured by Asclepius and his daughters= SPIRTUAL TREATMENT- RELIGION

-Disease caused by upset of the Gods- misfortune

-Other Greeks developed new theories of disease and treatment. Their ideas suggested the Gods such as Asclepius had nothing to do with disease and treatment/health.

-Searched for a rational cause= IDEA OF NATURAL CAUSES.

-The people’s belief in magic and the gods prevented effective medical treatment.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DISEASE

a)      Observation-  Used recorded information of previous patients with similar symptoms to diagnose a patient quickly with more effective means of treatment (A prognosis- advice in cases where they were unsure of a patient’s illness / cure. So advised they balanced their 4 humours (exercise, food and hygiene)

b)     Treatment- Used theory of the 4 humours- attempted to balance the unbalanced humours- through purging of the bowels or bleeding etc… However Doctors knew there were some diseases they couldn’t cure so would also suggest a visit to the an…