Ancient

Ancient Medicine

Ancient medicine refers to the medical practices and beliefs that existed before the advent of modern medicine. These practices were often intertwined with religion, philosophy, and astrology, and varied greatly across different cultures and regions.

Early Medical Practices

Mesopotamia

In ancient Mesopotamia, medicine was practiced by a class of priests known as the "asipu" and "asu." The "asipu" were involved in magical healing, while the "asu" were more akin to modern physicians, using herbal remedies and surgical techniques. The Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length, includes laws related to medical practice.

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt is known for its advanced medical practices. The Ebers Papyrus, dating back to around 1550 BCE, is one of the oldest medical texts and contains over 700 remedies and magical formulas. Egyptian physicians were specialists, with some focusing on dentistry, ophthalmology, or gastroenterology.

Ancient India

In Ancient India, the practice of Ayurveda emerged, which is still practiced today. Ayurveda is based on the balance of bodily humors, or "doshas," and emphasizes diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing.

Ancient China

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has its roots in ancient China. It includes practices such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong. The "Huangdi Neijing" (The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) is a fundamental text that laid the foundation for TCM.

Greek and Roman Medicine

Ancient Greece

The Greeks made significant contributions to medicine, with figures like Hippocrates, often called the "Father of Medicine." The Hippocratic Corpus is a collection of texts associated with him and his teachings. Hippocrates emphasized the importance of clinical observation and the belief that disease was caused by natural factors rather than divine punishment.

Ancient Rome

Roman medicine was heavily influenced by Greek practices. Galen, a prominent Greek physician in the Roman Empire, made substantial contributions to anatomy and physiology. His works dominated medical thought for centuries.

Medieval and Renaissance Medicine

During the Middle Ages, much of the medical knowledge from antiquity was preserved by Islamic scholars and later reintroduced to Europe. The Renaissance saw a revival of interest in classical texts and the beginning of modern scientific inquiry.

Legacy of Ancient Medicine

Ancient medicine laid the groundwork for many modern medical practices. The emphasis on observation, diagnosis, and treatment in a systematic manner can be traced back to these early practices. While many ancient remedies have been replaced by modern pharmaceuticals, some, like herbal medicine, continue to be used today.

See Also

• History of medicine
• Herbalism
• Traditional medicine

References

• Nutton, V. (2004). Ancient Medicine. Routledge.
• Porter, R. (1997). The Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity. HarperCollins.