Medicine- Ancient Rome Flashcards
Why did Romans need to think about public health?
Because they needed a healthy army.
What theory did Hippocrates come up with?
The theory of the four humours. (Greek theory)
What did they believe were the four humours?
Blood, Phlegm, Black Bile, Yellow Bile.
How did the four humours cause disease?
When there was an imbalance in one of the humours, this would cause an illness/disease.
What theory did Galen come up with to treat disease?
The theory of opposites. (He accepted Greek theory of the four humours)
How did Galen learn about anatomy?
1) By tending to wounded gladiators in amphitheatres
2) Dissecting animals, mostly pigs.
Why was dissection of humans forbidden?
The church would forbid this, as it was believed that the body would need to be in tact to get into heaven.
Why was dissection on criminals allowed?
Because it was believed they wouldn’t get to heaven anyway as they have committed sins.
Why was Galen wrong about many things he discovered?
Because he dissected animals and based his theory’s on this, meaning he made mistakes as animals are different to humans.
What was one thing that Galen managed to prove through anatomy?
That the brain controls the body, and not the heart.
What were some methods that Romans used to cure disease?
- Praying to God
- Theory of Opposites ( Blood letting, hot baths, cold baths, eating hot or cool foods).
- Home remedies
How would they prevent disease?
- Praying to God for good health
- Flagellation
- Good diet
- Exercise
Why were Galen’s ideas believed for so long, and not challenged?
Despite the fact he was wrong in a lot of cases his ideas were not challenged, because the church supported them meaning that if you challenged them you were going against the church, and God.
What were things they believed caused disease?
- Miasma (bad smells)
- God
- The four humours.
What is the Hippocratic oath?
Created by Hippocrates. An oath taken by doctors to assure patients they are always working in their best interests.
