History of Medicine in Rome Assist.Prof.Dr. Mehmet KARATAŞ Department of History of Medicine and Ethics

Roman Civilization Villanova Period (1000–200 BC) Villanova Period (1000–200 BC) Roman Republic (200–27 BC) Roman Republic (200–27 BC) Roman Empire after Emperor Augustus (27 BC and after). Roman Empire after Emperor Augustus (27 BC and after). During the Roman civilization Christianity had emerged in the Middle East and Christianity became the official religion of the roman empire at the end of the 4. century AD.

Etruscans and Medicine Bronze models of livers were founded in archeological sites in Italian peninsula. These models were used by Etruscans, who lived there before. It is stunning that these bronze models are similar to the clay models which were found in Mesopotamia (hepatoscopy). Bronze models of livers were founded in archeological sites in Italian peninsula. These models were used by Etruscans, who lived there before. It is stunning that these bronze models are similar to the clay models which were found in Mesopotamia (hepatoscopy). The dental prothesis which were found in archeological sites show that the Etruscans were successful in tooth prothesis. The dental prothesis which were found in archeological sites show that the Etruscans were successful in tooth prothesis.

Roman Medicine Greek medicine peaked in Alexandria and then it influenced Roman medicine. It is considered that the Roman medicine had developed by Etruscan and Greek civilizations. Greek medicine peaked in Alexandria and then it influenced Roman medicine. It is considered that the Roman medicine had developed by Etruscan and Greek civilizations. Romans were interested in politics, philosophy, military, architecture instead of in medicine. Romans were interested in politics, philosophy, military, architecture instead of in medicine. There were more Greek physicians than Roman physicians. The upper class had their own special physicians (as their slaves). There were more Greek physicians than Roman physicians. The upper class had their own special physicians (as their slaves).

Some Roman Physicians Asclepiads from Bitinia Asclepiads from Bitinia Asclepiads (120–70 BC) adhered to the Hilt theory (humoral theory or 4 temperaments theory). They used massage, diet and exercise as treatment. His ideas were developed by his students and established the basement of the methodism, which was effective for centuries.

Some Roman Physicians Soranus (1st century AD) Soranus (1st century AD) Soranus from Ephesus is one of the greatest physicians from the Rome Period. He was specialized in injuries and diseases, especially in obstetric and gynecology. He worked on menstruation, occurence of pregnancy, birth and abnormal babies presentation.

Some Roman Physicians Rufus from Ephesus Rufus from Ephesus He had some important anatomical observations. He defined optical nerve and argued that the nerves take origin from brain. He also realized that the pulse is based on heart beats. Dioscorides Dioscorides Pedianus Dioscorides was a physician in Roman Army. That’s why he had possibilities to travel and examine many plants. He wrote the medical usage of some plants in his work De Materia Medica.

Some Roman Physicians Celsus (not a physician) Celsus (not a physician) Cornelius Celsus is a Roman who tried to summarize the knowledge of his time. His works based on Greek Medicine. He wrote an encyclopedic work De Medicina in 30 AD.

Some Roman Physicians Galen Galen Galen (AD 129– c.200) was Born in Anatolia in Pergamum (Bergama). His father was rich. He travelled to Izmir, Corinth and Alexandria. Then he became the court physician of the famous emperor Marcus Aurelius. He adhered to the Hilt theory and the theory of Hippocrates. Galen realized that the arteries contain blood instead of air. Notwithstanding he didin’t have any idea about the blood circulation and he believed that the body continuesly used blood and produced it again. He adhered to the Hilt theory and the theory of Hippocrates. Galen realized that the arteries contain blood instead of air. Notwithstanding he didin’t have any idea about the blood circulation and he believed that the body continuesly used blood and produced it again.

Galen

Galen In his time it was forbidden to dissect bodies and examine them. That’s why he worked on monkeys and boars. After that he generalized his findings and led to wrong anatomical knowledge. As a result he influenced the anatomy badly. His inaccurate information in anatomy had changed after Renaissance.

Roman Medicine Public Health and Hygiene The water systems of the Romans was excellent. They had baths and wells which were open to public. They had also sewages. The rich people had their own water supplies. The water systems of the Romans was excellent. They had baths and wells which were open to public. They had also sewages. The rich people had their own water supplies.

Roman Medicine A structure called Cloaca Maxima was a part of this system and with this structure water could flew under streets and buildings. There were also some public lavatories. One public lavatory can be seen in Ephesus. A structure called Cloaca Maxima was a part of this system and with this structure water could flew under streets and buildings. There were also some public lavatories. One public lavatory can be seen in Ephesus. Valetudinaria Valetudinaria In Roman army there were some medics. The first mobile hospital was found by Romans. It is known as valetudinaria. The civilian people and the soldiers were healed in these hospitals.

Konuyla İlgili SORU/CEVAP Soru 1: Antik Roma tıbbının tıbbi uygulamalardaki kuramsal yaklaşımı neydi? Cevap 1: Dört unsur (hıltlar teorisi) Soru 2: Aşağıdakilerden hangisi Antik Roma medeniyetinin ünlü hekimlerinden biridir? Cevap 2: Galen

References A. Selim ATAY, İnönü Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, translation A. Selim ATAY, İnönü Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, translation Tolga GÜVEN, Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Tarihi ve Etik AD ders notları Tolga GÜVEN, Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Tarihi ve Etik AD ders notları Ali Haydar BAYAT, Tıp Tarihi Ali Haydar BAYAT, Tıp Tarihi Emine ATABEK, Şefik GÖRKEY, Başlangıcından Rönesansa Kadar Tıp Tarihi Emine ATABEK, Şefik GÖRKEY, Başlangıcından Rönesansa Kadar Tıp Tarihi Çağlar Boyu Tıp, Roche Yayınları Çağlar Boyu Tıp, Roche Yayınları