Hippocrates
For other uses of the name Hippocrates, see Hippocrates (disambiguation).
Hippocrates of Cos (c. 460 BC–c. 370 BC) was an ancient Greek physician. Hippocrates is commonly regarded as one of the most outstanding figures in medicine of all time for his lasting contributions to this field and is generally considered "The Father of Medicine". Hippocrates defined the field of medicine as separate from the other disciplines (notably theurgy and philosophy). In this process, he summed up the medical knowledge of previous schools and produced (though likely indirectly) the Hippocratic Corpus.[1]
These Hippocratic Writings are so enduring that they are used even today. Indeed, the great detail and depth of his observations of maladies and their symptoms are still well-regarded. [2] In addition to these historic works, from the Hippocratic tradition, spawned the seminal Hippocratic Oath. This document is a famous declaration of doctoral ethics theoretically taken at the beginning of a doctor's career. While the oath is rarely used in its original form, derivatives of it are taken today and it serves as a foundation for other, similar oaths and laws that define good medical practice and morals.[3]
Biography
Little is known of Hippocrates' life. It is believed that he was born on the island of Cos in 460 BC. He may have been taught medicine by his father and grandfather in addition to Asclepieion and Herodicus.
According to the biographical tradition, he was a physician trained at the Asclepieion of Cos, and may have been a pupil of Herodicus.
Some of his medical achievements were documented by Plato and Aristotle.
He may have died in Thessaly at the age of around 83. [4]
Accomplishments
Science
Hippocrates is often hailed as the first man to reject superstitious beliefs and practice medicine based only on hard scientific theory. While in some respects he is deserving of this title, he also had a few pseudoscientific convictions about the human body and medicine. For instance, he believed that sickness in a human was caused by an imbalance of the four humors, and in the importance of the study of astrology to healing. [5]
Hippocrates did begin to observe hereditary diseases and hypothesize that disease was not punishment of the gods but due to environmental factors and diet. [5] [6]
Morals and practice
The Hippocratic writings introduced patient confidentiality, a practice still in use today. This was described under the Hippocratic Oath and other treatises. Hippocrates recommended that physicians record their findings and their medicinal methods, so that these records may be passed down and employed by other physicians.
Writings
Of these works, none can be demonstrably credited to Hippocrates, but they are considered to form the Corpus Hippocraticum, as they came from the Coan school of thought which Hippocrates greatly influenced.[5]
See also
- Hippocratic bench
- Hippocratic face
- Hippocratic fingers (clubbing)
- Hippocratic Oath
- Medical astrology
- Medicine in Ancient Greece
References
- ^ Garrison 1966, p. 92-93
- ^ Garrison 1966, p. 94
- ^ Garrison 1966, p. 96
- ^ Biography of Hippocrates
- ^ a b c Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia
- ^ http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/library/historical/artifacts/antiqua/homer.cfm>
Bibliography
- Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0823777.html. Retrieved August 15, 2006.
- Template:Harvard reference.