Imagine you are living in the time frame of Ancient Greece. You fall sick and instead of going to a regular physician/ hospital you are taken to a temple. Doesn’t it sound weird??
That’s how Medicine has evolved in Ancient Greek.
In its early phases, disease was considered to be divine castigation. The symbol adopted for it was that of a serpent, which was thought to be a sacred creature immune from illness. Moreover, the serpent had an important practical function in ancient medicine; every temple was not only a place of devotion, but also the site where sick people were brought. The purpose of the serpent pit was to frighten the patient, in order to induce shock and make the god appear in front of them who would then heal them.
Journey from Myth to Method:
Ancient Greek Medicine was deeply intertwined with spirituality. Illnesses were attributed to the wrath of Gods and healing involved incantations, sacrifices and charms. While these practices held cultural significance, they lacked critical analysis and a systemic approach that define Modern Medicine.
A man named Hippocrates emerged as a great healer. He believed that illness had natural causes and not supernatural. His methods were revolutionary. A stark contrast to the superstitious beliefs of time.
He was then known as the “Father of Medicine”.
Hippocrates (c460–c375 BC), helped devise the theory of the four humors, and was one of the first doctors to accurately describe conditions such as epilepsy. Whereas some people believed that the disorder was a result of demonic possession, the Kos-born physician instead determined that the cause lay inside the human brain.
The theory of the four humors
The core belief was that the human body was made up of four fluids:
1.Blood
2. Yellow bile
3. Black bile
4. Phlegm –
These four fluids were thought to correspond with the four elements of nature: earth, fire, wind and water. If any of these became imbalanced, you could become ill.
The traditional Indian system of Medicine, Ayurveda also believed in this balance, stating that the universe is made up of Five elements (earth, fire, wind, water and the 5th one being ether)
Observation, Not Divination
At the heart of Hippocratic Medicine was the principle of careful observation. Rather than relying on mystical conjecture, Hippocrates and his followers sought to understand the human body through documentation of symptoms, systemic examinations, environmental factors and patient histories.
This empirical approach marked a watershed moment in the evolution of medical science, paving the way for evidence-based medicine practiced today.
Hippocratic Oath
Hippocrates developed a code of ethic, the so-called ‘Hippocratic Oath’ that laid out basic ground rules for a doctor’s bedside manner, as well as text on the importance of honesty, confidentiality, cleanliness, and careful noting of a patient’s symptoms (which could then be used by other physicians)
Hippocratic fingers
Hippocrates, and those from his school of medicine, were the first people to describe and properly document several diseases and disorders, including a detailed description of clubbing of the fingers.
Hippocratic texts were taught in the universities until 1700. Later on, the world saw various advancements and theories coming up till date.
Well Hippocrates wasn’t the only one, the ancient Greeks were thirsty logic-based discussions, and were curious about why things existed.
Medicine and Math’s
Pythagoras who lived in the 6th century B.C.E, was a mathematician who brought his theory of numbers into the natural sciences. His followers believed that numbers had precise meanings, especially the numbers 4 and 7.
7 x 4 is 28, the length of the lunar month and the menstrual cycle.
7 x 40 is 280, the number of days of a full-term pregnancy.
The ancient Greek history is full of such contributions from great people that have led to the advancement of modern science.
Conclusion
As we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, it is vital to acknowledge the debt we owe to the ancient Greeks and their transformative vision of medicine. Through their dedication to reason, observation, and compassion, Hippocrates and his peers not only healed bodies but also illuminated a path toward understanding the mysteries of human health.
