The Roman Empire

Question 1

Who was the famous Roman physician who supported the humorism theory?

Answer 1

Galen (AD 129-200)

Question 2

Why was Galen recognised as the greatest surgeon of the ancient world?

Answer 2

Because he performed brain and eye surgery, including his cataract removal technique which isn’t dissimilar to that used today

Question 3

What is Galen most famous for?

Answer 3

~ Performing anatomical dissection and vivisection on animals (pigs and primates) hence beginning to create anatomical structures that mirrored that of humans
~ He clarified the anatomy of the trachea
~ He was the first to demonstrate that the larynx generates the voice
~ He was the first to recognise distinct differences between venous (dark) blood and arterial (bright) blood
~ He explained the difference between motor and sensory nerves
~ He discussed the concept of muscle tone

Question 4

The Romans were the first civilisation to introduce what?

Answer 4

A public health system - they built aquaducts, public baths, underground sewage system and public toilets and also drained marshes to get rid of malaria-carrying mosquitoes