Greece & Roman Flashcards
Who was Dioscorides? (70ce).
Greek physician with the Roman Army.
What did Dioscorides compose?
De Materia Medica. It describes about 500 different drugs and was influential for the next 1500 years.
Why is there a dog when gathering mandrake?
Because it was thought that the mandrake root screamed and lead to a loss of sanity or life.
What was mandrake root used for? (2)
- Rheumatism. 2. Internally for pain to induce delirium or anesthesia before surgery.
Who was Galen of Pergamon? (129-210 CE) (3)
- “Top dog” of Roman Medicine. 2. Great anatomist. 3. Credit/blame for use of theriac (into 1800s).
Was opium in theriac?
Yes.
What was Galen’s Impact on Drug therapeutics? (3)
- More into drug therapy than diet and exercise (as those before him). 2. Into large shotgun prescriptions - the body will pull out what it needs. 3. Refined what a prescription was.
Did the Romans prefer medicine or life-style change?
Medicines.
What are plant preparations called in the West?
Galenicals.
What three categories did Galen divide drugs into?
- Simples (one activity). 2. Several qualities. 3. Entities.
What did Galen advocate physicians to do?
Compound their own medications (not someone else).
What are 3 famous Galenic remedies?
Hiera Picra (holy bitters). 2. Theriac. 3. Terra sigillata (sealed earth).
What was the mission of Western Medicine for 1500 years? Was it holistic?
Figure out which humor was out of balance and correct it. It was holistic.
Why were patients given medicines (during balance of humor times)? (3)
- Counteract excess humors. 2. Eliminate Excess. 3. Give tonics to increase good humors within body.
What are some ways to get rid of excess humors? (4)
- Cupping. 2. Laxatives. 3. Emetics. 4. Bleeding.
