Roman Causes of Disease and Treatments Flashcards
What did Romans believe caused disease?
Four Humours
Gods- Asclepius and Apollo
Miasma Theory
How did Romans treat diseases?
Blood letting/ purging linked to four humours
Prayer to gods
Herbal remedies- honey and herbs such as witch hazel
Exercise, diet, fresh air
Theory of opposites
What were the four humours?
Blood
Phlegm
Yellow Bile
Black Bile
How did the four humours cause disease?
An imbalance in the humours was believed to make you ill
What were the four humours linked to?
Four elements (earth, air, fire and water) Four seasons
Who first introduced the idea of the four humours?
Hippocrates
What treatments did Hippocrates suggest?
Rest
Changes in diet
Leaving body to heal itself
What did Galen believe was a good treatment for almost all illnesses?
Blood letting
How did Galen believe you could balance the four humours?
Theory of opposites
How many medical texts did Galen produce?
Over 350
Why did people believe there was no point in further medical research?
Galen claimed he had perfected Ancient Greek ideas!
