Medieval Medicine: Greek and Roman Influences

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Questions and Answers

What was one of Galen's incorrect beliefs about human anatomy?

  • Blood travels through tiny holes in the septum. (correct)
  • The jawbone consists of two separate bones. (correct)
  • The brain controls movement.
  • The heart has two separate sides.

How did medieval medicine address the concept of the four humours?

  • By promoting surgical interventions.
  • By suggesting balancing the humours through natural and supernatural methods. (correct)
  • By using chemotherapy.
  • By recommending antibiotics.

What was the perceived role of bloodletting in medieval medicine?

  • To eliminate excess blood in a patient deemed to have too much. (correct)
  • To enhance immune responses.
  • To treat infections.
  • To increase blood pressure.

What transition in medical understanding occurred in the 19th century?

<p>The development of germ theory by Louis Pasteur. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did local wise women play in medieval medicine?

<p>They provided herbal remedies based on inherited knowledge. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient physician is known as the 'father of modern medicine'?

<p>Hippocrates (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Hippocrates develop that explained health in terms of bodily fluids?

<p>Humorism (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What practice did Galen promote based on his anatomical studies?

<p>Bloodletting (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which impact did the Church have on medieval medicine?

<p>Facilitated the spread of Islamic medicine (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of poor living conditions during the medieval period?

<p>The spread of the Black Death (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Who is Hippocrates?

The ancient Greek physician known for his contributions to medicine, including the theory of four humors and the Hippocratic Oath.

What is the theory of four humors?

The idea that the human body is made up of four substances: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. An imbalance in these humors was believed to cause illness.

What is the Hippocratic Oath?

An oath taken by doctors, based on Hippocrates' work, outlining ethical obligations to patients.

Who is Galen?

A Roman physician who revived Hippocrates' ideas, studied anatomy through gladiators, and introduced bloodletting as a treatment.

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What is the theory of opposites?

Galen's idea that illness could be treated by balancing the humors. For example, eating hot food for a cold was meant to balance the humors.

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The Four Humors

A theory in ancient medicine that believed the body was composed of four fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. They thought that illness was caused by an imbalance in these fluids.

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Bloodletting

A medical practice that involved removing blood from the body to restore balance, often used in medieval medicine based on the four humors theory.

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Theory of Opposites

A practice that focused on the natural processes of the body to heal itself, such as nosebleeds or vomiting. It believed that these processes helped expel excess fluids that could cause illness.

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What is purging?

A practice of removing fluids from the body to balance the four humors. This could involve inducing vomiting, purging the bowels, or other methods.

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Study Notes

Medieval Medicine: Influence of Ancient Greece and Rome

  • Hippocrates, a Greek physician (approx. 460-370 BC), is considered the "father of modern medicine."
  • He developed the concept of the four humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) and emphasized clinical observation.
  • The Hippocratic Oath, still used today in modified form, outlines ethical principles for doctors.
  • Galen (AD 129-203), a Roman physician, built upon Hippocrates' ideas, promoting the theory of opposites. He used animal dissection and bloodletting.
  • While Galen made discoveries about the brain, he also made inaccuracies, like believing in holes in the heart's septum.
  • Medieval treatments often combined natural and supernatural remedies.

Medieval Medical Practices

  • The Four Humours: Imbalances in the four bodily fluids—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—were believed to cause illness.
  • Theory of Opposites: Treatments aimed to restore balance using opposing characteristics. For example, a cold might be treated with hot and spicy foods according to this theory.
  • Bloodletting: Used to address excess blood, guided by Galen's work.
  • Natural Remedies: Various substances were used for treatments, with remedies often based on observations of the body's natural responses.
  • Herbal Remedies: Wise women provided herbal remedies, often stemming from generations of knowledge.
  • Role of the Church: The Church played a vital role in medieval medicine, influencing beliefs and practices.
  • Impact of Islamic Medicine: New medical ideas also came from Islamic medicine of the time.

Spread of Disease

  • Poor living conditions contributed to the spread of diseases, including the Black Death.

Decline of Ancient Theories

  • The development of germ theory in the 19th century, by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch, marked a shift away from ancient Greek and Roman medical models.

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