The Need for Cheap Urbane Scrubs is not Greek to Today"s Medical World
You have probably heard of the expression "It is all Greek to me," which refers to the situation of not comprehending a certain text, concept, etc. Throughout the history of medicine, people have been striving to make sense of human health. For instance, in prehistoric times, "doctors" would drill holes in their patients' heads, to relieve them of headaches. While the doctors' motives were good, their patients needed such treatments as much as-well, a hole in the head. How about the ancient Greeks? Here is a rundown on the key elements of their beliefs and practices regarding medicine:
1. The Greeks were more scientific than the Egyptians
While the ancient Egyptians were eager to learn about how the human body functions, today we would consider some of their beliefs to be far fetched. For instance, Egyptian doctors believed that the majority of illnesses resulted from rotting food blocking the channels of people's bodies. They based this theory on their watching of the Nile River, rather than on hard science.
How about the Greeks? They certainly had no understanding of bacteria such as MRSA, and the damage that it could inflict on humans. Thus, they would not understand the need for physicians to wear hygienic clothing, such as cheap urbane scrubs.
Still, while the Greeks practiced both logical and spiritual medicine, as the Egyptians did, the former created more of a distinction. Although the Egyptians' medicine was much more advanced than those of prehistoric peoples were, they often meshed practical concepts and religious ceremonies.
2. Hippocrates, "The Father of Medicine"
Hippocrates was the most prominent physician in ancient Greece, and lived during the 500s and 400s BC. What did Hippocrates believe? He argued that the gods did not cause disease, but rather, that humans became sick when an imbalance formed between their bodies and their environments. While Hippocrates was unfamiliar with MRSA bacteria, he believed that the body contained four "humours": black bile, blood, phlegm, and yellow bile.
Hippocrates' approach to human health and medicine was far more scientific than the Egyptians'. He used a method of logical observation. This involved creating a record of how an illness progressed. Hippocrates also argued that physicians should not prescribe medications, until they completely comprehended their patient's sickness. The ultimate goal was to balance humans' four humours, with nature's seasons. Yes, that is right-the seasons.
3. Asclepius, the "God of Healing"
The cult of Asclepius existed at the same time as Hippocrates' more logical approach to medicine. Priests who doubled as doctors would use various methods, such as:
• dream interpretation
• exercise
• healthy diet
• natural treatments
The cult of Asclepius combined rational medicine with spiritual beliefs. They argued that Asclepius assisted patients in recovering from their illnesses.
The ancient Greeks' knowledge about medicine improved upon the work of the ancient Egyptians. Considering our increased knowledge about science, some of the Greeks' theories seem half-baked today. However, they certainly have contributed to our overall quest to understand the human body and its illnesses. For instance, bacteria are not Greek to us!
1. The Greeks were more scientific than the Egyptians
While the ancient Egyptians were eager to learn about how the human body functions, today we would consider some of their beliefs to be far fetched. For instance, Egyptian doctors believed that the majority of illnesses resulted from rotting food blocking the channels of people's bodies. They based this theory on their watching of the Nile River, rather than on hard science.
How about the Greeks? They certainly had no understanding of bacteria such as MRSA, and the damage that it could inflict on humans. Thus, they would not understand the need for physicians to wear hygienic clothing, such as cheap urbane scrubs.
Still, while the Greeks practiced both logical and spiritual medicine, as the Egyptians did, the former created more of a distinction. Although the Egyptians' medicine was much more advanced than those of prehistoric peoples were, they often meshed practical concepts and religious ceremonies.
2. Hippocrates, "The Father of Medicine"
Hippocrates was the most prominent physician in ancient Greece, and lived during the 500s and 400s BC. What did Hippocrates believe? He argued that the gods did not cause disease, but rather, that humans became sick when an imbalance formed between their bodies and their environments. While Hippocrates was unfamiliar with MRSA bacteria, he believed that the body contained four "humours": black bile, blood, phlegm, and yellow bile.
Hippocrates' approach to human health and medicine was far more scientific than the Egyptians'. He used a method of logical observation. This involved creating a record of how an illness progressed. Hippocrates also argued that physicians should not prescribe medications, until they completely comprehended their patient's sickness. The ultimate goal was to balance humans' four humours, with nature's seasons. Yes, that is right-the seasons.
3. Asclepius, the "God of Healing"
The cult of Asclepius existed at the same time as Hippocrates' more logical approach to medicine. Priests who doubled as doctors would use various methods, such as:
• dream interpretation
• exercise
• healthy diet
• natural treatments
The cult of Asclepius combined rational medicine with spiritual beliefs. They argued that Asclepius assisted patients in recovering from their illnesses.
The ancient Greeks' knowledge about medicine improved upon the work of the ancient Egyptians. Considering our increased knowledge about science, some of the Greeks' theories seem half-baked today. However, they certainly have contributed to our overall quest to understand the human body and its illnesses. For instance, bacteria are not Greek to us!
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