William J. Dominik, ‘Medicine’, in W. J. Dominik (ed.), Words & Ideas (Mundelein: Bolchazy-Carducci reprint 2009) 105–143. (original) (raw)
The Role of Ancient Greek Philosophy and Medicine
Health Promotion International, Volume 24, Issue 2, June 2009, Pages 185–192, 2009
CONVALESCING AND REVIEWING THE SOURCES OF OUR MODERN HEALTH CARE The earliest writer to mention Hippocrates and his theories, Plato in his book Timaeus taught that morality was not simply a matter of education; because the mind was influenced by the body, according to Plato, the doctor had a part to play in teaching virtue. Timaeus became a highly influential text, linking medicine and philosophy, health and politics, in such a way that reminds the contemporary conception of the sociopolitical determinants of health Although it is commonly accepted that the basic concepts of ‘Health Promotion’ have been developed in the last two decades, they have their roots in ancient civilizations and in particular in Greek antiquity. As evident from medical and philosophical documents of the sixth to fourth centuries B.C., the ancient Greeks were the first to break with the supernatural conceptions of health and disease that had so far dominated human societies. The ancient Greeks developed the physiocratic school of thought, realizing that maintaining good health and fighting illness depend on natural causes and that health and disease cannot be dissociated from particular physical and social environments nor from human behavior. In this context, they defined health as a state of dynamic equilibrium between the internal and the external environment, they took under consideration the physical and social determinants of health, they empowered individuals and communities through new democratic and participatory institutions, they gave emphasis in health education and skill development, they recognized the importance of supportive environments and of healthy public policy and they re-oriented medicine toward a more naturalistic and humanistic perspective. The aim of the present study is to highlight such core concepts from these early times that helped establishing the foundations for health promotion and education in the modern era according to the Ottawa Charter. THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH: MODERN VERSION I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug. I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery. I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God. I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help. Written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University, and used in many medical schools today. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/first-do-no-harm-201510138421 Although “first, do no harm” is attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, it isn’t a part of the Hippocratic Oath at all. It is actually from another of his works called Of the Epidemics. “The physician must be able to tell the antecedents, know the present, and foretell the future — must mediate these things, and have two special objects in view with regard to disease, namely, to do good or to do no harm.”
International Journal of Advanced Research , 2022
In recognition of his contribution to the medical field, Hippocrates is universally known as the "Father of Medicine". He transformed medicine from superstition and magic to a scientific and evidencebased system. The core focus of Hippocratic medicine is an individualistic approach based on "Vis Medicatrix Naturae"the healing power of nature, which acknowledges the uniqueness of each individual, as well as the effects of lifestyle in health and disease. More significantly, Hippocrates hypothesised thehumoral theory. Furthermore, he advised on the importance of professionalism and medical ethics with respect to bedside manner, benevolence, and conduct. This led to the origin of the Hippocratic oath as we know it today. Ultimately, there is no era of medicine which is unmarked by Hippocrates. He laid the foundation of what is the essence of medical science today, including rationalism, ethics, patient care, observation skills and clinical experience. This paper focuses on the acknowledgement of Hippocrates, highlighting his contributions in medicine to this day.
Health and disease in Ancient Greek Medicine.
The purpose of this article is to summarize the principles of theories about sickness and health in the Hippocratic Medicine. A thorough study of the Hippocratic and Galenic Corpus was undertaken, along with a selection of analyses of modern scholars on the subject. Important aspects on human health include the "four humors theory", the strict connection of human physiology with the laws of Nature and the interconnection between the functions of the human body and the way of life and habits of the patient. The humoral theories provided the basis for treatment strategies in Hippocratic medicine which was strictly individualized and case restricted. Hippocrates, on the basis of those theories, also suggested a set of rules for everyday life in his "Regimen" suggesting a direct association between health and life style. In all aspects of human life, the golden mean is considered to be the optimum way, according to the writer of the Hippocratic texts, in order to restore the balance between opposing powers that tend to disturb the homeostasis of human health.