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Starwartwo
#671
Many of the details of Hippocratesâs life are contested. One can reasonably assume that he was an extremely famous physician who taught at the medical school of Cos, one of the most famous medical schools at the time. (âHippocrates of Cosâ) Many works from the school bear his name, despite most probably not being written by him (âHippocratesâ). Two of the most well-known works attributed to him are the Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of works and treatises from his school at Cos, and the Hippocratic Oath, a pledge that outlines the duties and obligations of every physician (âHippocrates of Cosâ;âHippocratic Oathâ). These works have affected the way medicine is utilized in the ancient and modern worlds. Although little is truly known about Hippocrates of Cos, he influenced the ancient and modern worldsâ comprehension of medicine through his revolutionary methodology, ethical standards, and influence on future physicians.
Hippocrates influenced the ancient and modern worldsâ comprehension of medicine through his revolutionary methodology. At the time, the view of diseases was that they were caused by gods and goddesses. He believed that there were four humours, or essential fluids, that were to be kept in balance. Diseases were caused by bad diets, which would lead to an imbalance of these humours (Smith). Because of this realization, Hippocrates was able to diagnose and treat some diseases. Some of his treatises and works in the Corpus outline the specific prognosis and treatments of diseases, as well as which seasons were associated with which diseases (âHippocrates of Cosâ). This was revolutionary, as most physicians at the time believed that divine forces caused diseases. Through his methodology and practices, although flawed, Hippocrates was able to treat and care for his patients in a systemized way. Doctors today attempt to do the exact same thing: look for causes and symptoms of a disease, and then we attempt to treat the disease. Although other schools at the time believed this, Hippocrates made this view mainstream because of his extraordinary fame and renown throughout Greece. Because he realized that diseases were caused by outside natural factors instead of divine entities, Hippocrates was able to revolutionize the way patients were treated and cared for.
Hippocrates also affected the ancient and modern worldsâ comprehension of medicine through his ethical standards. Hippocratesâs school at Cos cared about the psyche of the patient and how their treatments would affect that psyche. Other schools at the time merely cared for the disease and its treatment, but the Corpus shows how important it was to the school to keep the psyche of the patient intact (âHippocrates of Cosâ). Throughout his and his schoolâs works, Hippocrates showed consideration for his patients, even though his contemporaries did not. He goes even further, telling his pupils not to care for payment, even for them to give their full services for no pay (âHippocrates of Cosâ). This shows that Hippocrates cared for the well-being of the patient, rather than pay or other material items. This concern for well-being is why he did his fullest to make sure to treat his patients properly. In addition to this, the Hippocratic Oath, still recited today at the graduation ceremonies of medical schools, outlines the obligations of physicians; specifically, it talks about how physicians must do what is necessary for the benefit of the patient and to avoid causing harm to said patient (âHippocratic Oathâ). These works show that Hippocrates thought a fundamental obligation of a physician was to do as little harm as possible, a sentiment that still exists today. The idea one is obliged to help others if they have the power to is an idea that still exists today, and actively affects and affected current and ancient practices of medicine.
Finally, Hippocrates affected the ancient and modern worldsâ comprehension of medicine through his influence on future physicians. The best example of this would be Galen of Pergamum. Galen compiled works of previous physicians to become one of the most well-respected physicians during Roman times. Some of these works came from Hippocrates. Although Galen changed some aspects of Hippocratesâs works in his own ideas of medicine, Hippocrates still provided the baseline for Galen. In fact, Galen revered Hippocrates, and he would adopt the idea that the body was made up of four humours. Galen would go on to be the personal physician of Emperors Lucius Verus, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and Septimus Severus (âGalen of Pergamumâ). He was truly a man with great influence over Rome. Galenâs influence on the world would continue posthumously, however. Galenâs works would reach the Arab world by the year 850, which was the center of medicine at the time. His writings would serve as the basis for medical education of the time. His works were printed in Greek and Latin by the year 1525 and the Galenic tradition would persist until the 16th century (âGalen of Pergamumâ). The influence of Hippocrates is clearly seen on the ideas of Galen. Because of Galenâs widespread influence on the world, it is clear that the influence of Hippocrates on future physicians drastically impacted how the Arab and European worlds viewed medicine.
Hippocrates truly changed the past and present worldsâ view of medicine. His revolutionary methodology, ethical standards, and influence on future physicians truly revolutionized the way his coevel and modern physicians work. These influences can not be understated, as the entire modern understanding of medicine could not exist without Hippocrates.
