Rogerius (physician)

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Rogerius

Name	Rogerius
Birth name
Birth date	c. 1140
Birth place	Salerno, Italy
Death date	c. 1195
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician, Surgeon
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works	Practica Chirurgiae
Spouse(s)
Website

Rogerius, also known as Rogerius Salernitanus, was a prominent 12th-century Italian physician and surgeon, renowned for his influential work in the field of surgery. He is best known for his surgical treatise, Practica Chirurgiae ("The Practice of Surgery"), which became a foundational text in medieval European medicine.

Biography

Rogerius was born around 1140 in Salerno, Italy, a city famous for its Schola Medica Salernitana, one of the earliest and most prestigious medical schools in medieval Europe. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he studied and later taught at this institution, which was a melting pot of medical knowledge from Greek, Roman, Arab, and Jewish traditions.

Contributions to Medicine

Rogerius's most significant contribution to medicine is his work Practica Chirurgiae, written around 1180. This text is considered one of the first systematic surgical manuals in the Western world. It was widely used and respected throughout the Middle Ages and laid the groundwork for future developments in surgical practice.

Practica Chirurgiae

The Practica Chirurgiae is divided into several sections, each dealing with different aspects of surgical practice. Rogerius emphasized the importance of understanding anatomy and physiology, which was a progressive approach for his time. The text covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Wound Treatment: Rogerius provided detailed descriptions of how to treat various types of wounds, emphasizing cleanliness and the use of sutures.
• Fractures and Dislocations: He described methods for setting broken bones and reducing dislocations, which were innovative for the period.
• Amputations: Rogerius outlined procedures for amputating limbs, stressing the importance of controlling bleeding and preventing infection.
• Hernias: He discussed the surgical treatment of hernias, a common condition at the time.

Rogerius's work was notable for its practical approach and clarity, making it accessible to other physicians and surgeons. It was later expanded upon by his student, Roland of Parma, and became a standard text in medical education.

Legacy

Rogerius's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as his teachings were incorporated into the curricula of medical schools across Europe. His work was translated into several languages, including Latin, which helped disseminate his ideas widely. The Practica Chirurgiae remained a key reference for surgeons well into the Renaissance.

Also see

• Schola Medica Salernitana
• Medieval medicine of Western Europe
• Roland of Parma
• History of surgery