Galen
(Redirected from Galenism)
Galen[edit | edit source]
Galen (circa 130-200 AD) was a prominent Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher during the Roman Empire. His theories and medical writings had a profound influence on European medicine up until the Renaissance.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Galen was born in Pergamon (present-day Bergama, Turkey). He reportedly received a comprehensive education that prepared him for a successful career in medicine.
Career and Contributions[edit | edit source]
Galen served as a physician to the gladiators in his hometown, which offered him invaluable insights into human anatomy and the treatment of trauma. Later, he moved to Rome, where he became a notable medical lecturer and gained the favor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, becoming his court physician.
Galen's medical philosophy was rooted in the Hippocratic tradition of balancing the four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile), but he further developed these concepts in light of his own observations and dissections.
Impact on Medicine[edit | edit source]
Despite the considerable inaccuracies, Galen's theories were highly influential and dominated Western medicine for nearly 1,500 years. His works encompassed a vast array of medical topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and pharmacology. Among his significant contributions was the emphasis on the pulse as a critical diagnostic tool.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
With the advent of the Renaissance, medical scientists began to challenge and revise Galenic medicine based on their new findings. However, his contributions to early medicine remain invaluable and represent an essential phase in the history of medicine.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Template:Ancient Roman medicine
References[edit | edit source]
- Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? WikiMD's DocFinder can help with millions of doctors!
| This article is a stub. Help WikiMD grow by registering to expand it. |
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
- 2nd-century births
- 2nd-century Greek physicians
- 2nd-century philosophers
- 2nd-century Roman physicians
- 2nd-century writers
- 3rd-century deaths
- 3rd-century Greek physicians
- 3rd-century Greek writers
- 3rd-century philosophers
- 3rd-century Roman physicians
- Aelii
- Ancient Greek anatomists
- Ancient Greek logicians
- Ancient Greek philosophers of mind
- Ancient Greek science writers
- Ancient ophthalmologists
- Court physicians
- Herbalists
- Middle Platonists
- People from Pergamon
- Philosophy writers
Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD
