1.2.1
Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates
In medieval society, people thought that illnesses were caused by natural and supernatural causes. 2 famous physicians (doctors) were credited with a lot of the theories of medieval medicine: Hippocrates and Galen.
Background of Hippocrates
Background of Hippocrates
- Hippocrates (born in 460 BC) lived in Ancient Greece.
- He advocated (supported) using natural treatments to treat diseases and developed lots of theories about medicine.
- These included:
- Clinical observation.
- The Four Humours Theory.
- Hippocratic oath.
Clinical Observation
Clinical Observation
- Hippocrates invented the idea of ‘clinical observation’.
- This involved a doctor being objective (independent) and using observation and logic to deduce what was wrong with a patient.
- A doctor should examine and monitor a patient’s symptoms to diagnose their disease or illness.
The Hippocratic Oath
The Hippocratic Oath
- Doctors today take the Hippocratic oath and this binds them to keep to a set of ethical standards to treat their patients well.
The Four Humours Theory
The Four Humours Theory
- Hippocrates also developed the theory of the four humours.
- To be healthy, the Ancient Greeks believed that a person needed to have balanced humours. People got diseases if they had too much or too little of a humour.
The Four Humours Theory
The Four Humours Theory
Hippocrates thought that the best way to get humours back into balance was bleeding or purging. This is similar to the purging, vomiting and blood-letting that the Ancient Egyptians thought would unblock the body’s channels. Each humour was related to different seasons, elements and organs.
Blood
Blood
- Blood was related to Spring and air. The Ancient Greeks believed blood was produced in the liver. Blood was considered hot and wet.
- To remedy a blood imbalance, doctors used bloodletting or suggested eating red meat and drinking red wine.
Black bile
Black bile
- Black bile was related to autumn and earth. The Ancient Greeks believed black bile was produced in the gallbladder. Black bile was considered cold and dry.
- To remedy a black bile imbalance, doctors gave laxatives and suggested eating more vegetables.
Yellow bile
Yellow bile
- Yellow bile was related to Summer and fire. The Ancient Greeks believed bile was produced in the spleen. Yellow bile was considered hot and dry.
- To remedy a yellow bile imbalance, doctors forced patients to throw up or change their diet.
Phlegm
Phlegm
- Phlegm was related to Winter and water. The Ancient Greeks believed phlegm was produced in the brain and lungs. Phlegm was considered cold and wet.
- To remedy a phlegm imbalance, doctors suggested breathing steam, or eating vegetables filled with water.
1Medicine Stands Still
1.1Ancient Egyptian Approaches to Medicine
1.2Ancient Greek Medicine
1.3Medieval Medicine
1.4Religion & Medicine
1.5Public Health in the Middle Ages
2The Beginnings of Change
2.1The Impact of the Renaissance on Britain
2.2Treating Illnesses in the Renaissance
3A Revolution in Medicine
3.1The Development of Germ Theory & its Impact
3.2A Revolution in Surgery
4Modern Medicine
4.1Modern Treatment of Disease
4.2New Diseases & Treatments in the 20th Century
5Themes in Public Health
Jump to other topics
1Medicine Stands Still
1.1Ancient Egyptian Approaches to Medicine
1.2Ancient Greek Medicine
1.3Medieval Medicine
1.4Religion & Medicine
1.5Public Health in the Middle Ages
2The Beginnings of Change
2.1The Impact of the Renaissance on Britain
2.2Treating Illnesses in the Renaissance
3A Revolution in Medicine
3.1The Development of Germ Theory & its Impact
3.2A Revolution in Surgery
4Modern Medicine
4.1Modern Treatment of Disease
4.2New Diseases & Treatments in the 20th Century
5Themes in Public Health
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