Ancient Greek medicine

Question 1

What did the Greeks think was the cause of disease?

Answer 1

Natural:
Hippocrates created the theory of the Four Humours.
Supernatural:
The Greeks thought illness was a punishment from the gods.

Question 2

What was Greek supernatural medicine like?

Answer 2

Temples were built dedicated to the god of healing Asclepius. These temples were built on sites of natural beauty and were places for people to relax and pray for the gods to heal them.

Question 3

Did Asclepions work?

Answer 3

Despite the fact that we know gods could not have healed patients there, some people actually claimed they got better. Here are some explanations for why that was:

1. The placebo effect- people who went thought they got cured and thus felt better.
2. Good living habits- The piece and quiet, as well as the good food and good hygiene meant that people suffering from headaches, insomnia and indigestion felt better.
3. Natural remedies- apart from praying, there were also doctors in an Asclepion that offered simple herbal remedies and treatments.

Question 4

Who was Hippocrates?

Answer 4

A Greek doctor who came up with the theory of the Four Humours, laid down the basic principles of being a doctor (the Hippocratic oath) as well as wrote many medical books (the Hippocratic collection). He also set up a medical school where doctors could receive proper training.

Question 5

What was the theory of the Four Humours?

Answer 5

The theory of the Four Humours stated that inside the body are four liquids; yellow bile, black bile, blood and phlegm. These liquids correspond to the four elements fire, earth, air and water; which is then associated with the four seasons. The Greeks believed that disease was caused by these ‘humours’ going out of balance. For example, if you have a runny nose, you have too much phlegm. If you have a nose bleed, you have too much blood.

Question 6

How did Greek doctors treat disease?

Answer 6

The Greeks believed that humans should not mess with nature and nature will balance itself out. The job of a doctor therefore is not to balance the humours, but to help nature balance the humours. If you have too much blood, they will use bloodletting. they also used other laxatives to get rid of the excess humours.
Because the Greeks believed in balance, Greek doctors encouraged a balanced lifestyle which included eating healthily, exercising and having good personal hygiene.This reduced the chance of getting a disease.

Question 7

What were the philosophies of Greek doctors?

Answer 7

Hippocrates encouraged careful clinical observation and diagnosis of a disease before treatment, he believed that doctors should:

1. Ask patients about their symptoms.
2. Examine patients carefully.
3. Never ignore anything.
4. Record everything so other doctors can use the knowledge.

Question 8

What was Greek surgery like?

Answer 8

Surgeons in Greek society were looked down upon as they were seen as not better than butchers. Hippocrates said that surgeons should only operate if patients stood a good chance of survival.
Greek surgeons developed good techniques for setting broken bones and other external operations. However, due to the lack of anaesthetics, internal operations proved difficult.

Question 9

Factors

Answer 9

Religion:
Greeks believed that the gods were responsible and could heal illnesses. They built Asclepions for this purpose.
Individuals:
Hippocrates was very important in Greek medicine.
Doctors and nursing:
Doctors in Greek society were respected individuals. They had a code of conduct and access to the latest treatments.
Surgery:
Surgery could not really develop without anaesthetics. Greek surgeons were also looked down upon.
Disease and treatments:
Greek medicine was based on the theory of the Four Humours and treatments aimed to balance these Four Humours.