Erasistratus
Erasistratus of Ceos | |
---|---|
Ingres | |
Born | c. 304 BC |
Died | c. 250 BC |
Occupation | Physician |
Era | Hellenistic Greece |
Erasistratus (
Furthermore, Erasistratus is seen as one of the first physicians/scientists to conduct recorded dissections and potential
Erasistratus is credited for his description of the valves of the
Life
Erasistratus is generally supposed to have been born at
He lived for some time at the court of
Very little more is known of the personal history of Erasistratus: he lived for some time at
Medicine
Erasistratus wrote many works on anatomy, practical medicine and pharmacy, of which only the titles remain, together with a great number of short fragments preserved by
He appears to have been very near the discovery of the
The vein[31] arises from the part where the arteries, that are distributed to the whole body, have their origin, and penetrates to the sanguineous [or right] ventricle [of the heart]; and the artery [or pulmonary vein] arises from the part where the veins have their origin, and penetrates to the pneumatic [or left] ventricle of the heart.
The description is not very clear, but seems to show that he supposed the
Erasistratus also appears to have paid particular attention to the anatomy of the
He asserted that the
The
Of his method of cure the most remarkable peculiarity was his aversion to
Much to the disagreement that Galen had towards Erasistratus's views regarding phlebotomy, the Alexandrian physician was said by Galen in his work entitled, Bloodletting, against the Erasistrateans at Rome, to have disregarded the importance of the practice and rather suggested alternative methods.[48] Notably, Erasistratus suggests the bandaging of a patient's armpits and groin to achieve the desired results associated with phlebotomy.[48] Galen continues in his work to highly criticize this viewpoint that the Alexandrian physician had regarding the medical practice, and points out that Erasistratus did not give enough evidence to support the avoidance of phlebotomy for other treatments.[48]
Association with Herophilus and Galen
Erasistratus is frequently mentioned in historical documents with other significant figures of both his time period of the 3rd and 4th century BC and afterwards thanks to his accomplishments and advancements in the field of medicine.[26] The most prominent person he is referenced with from when he was living was that of Herophilus, another physician that was an important part of ancient Alexandrian medicine with Erasistratus.[26] Together, Erasistratus and Herophilus attributed to the revolutionary growth of knowledge in the Hellenistic period in not only science but culture as well in accordance to the writings of historians of antiquity.[26] Although, it is noted that Erasistratus and Herophilus did not share similar ideologies in the science of medicine as well as its practice.[48] One topic the two disagreed on what substance was actually carried by the arteries.[33] Herophilus believed that the arteries carried a mixture of pneuma and blood, while Erasistratus believed that they solely carried pneuma.[33] Erasistratus is said to have natural philosophical views as compared to others during the time, paving the way for the teaching of methodologists in the field of medicine.[26] The publications of some of Galen's work, from which there are many mentions of Erasistratus and Herophilus, led to further understanding of the differing ideologies.[26]
Erasistratus and Galen both supported the theory of pneuma, however their beliefs on how pneuma acquired the air it needed differed.[33] Erasistratus believed that pneuma received the air it needed from the lungs. Galen agreed that air from the lungs was used for pneuma, however in expelling also as much air as was breathed in there wasn't enough air present to account for all the pneuma needed to function. Galen also believed that air was brought in through pores of the skin, and through the nose which would move to the bony cavities of the brain to be used as psychic pneuma.[33]
Galen also noted his disagreement with Erasistratus and Herophilus on their view of the composition of organic bodies.[49] They adopted an Aristotelian view of organic bodies consisting of three levels: elements, uniform, and non-uniform parts.[49] Elements consisted of the elements, earth, wind, water, and fire. Uniform parts consisted of the nature of animals such as bone and flesh.[49] Finally, non-uniform parts of nature were things such as a face or hand.[49] Erasistratus and Herophilus believed that doctors should concern themselves with the uniform and non-uniform levels of the body, but not elements as that was the job of philosophers and scientists. This coincides with the role placed on physicians of the time to not act as scientists.[2] Galen however, believed that to understand the human body one had to understand the mixture of its elements.[49]
Much of what is known of Erasistratus and that of his work he did in the 3rd and 4th BC has become known through the work done by Galen.[26] Galen frequently notes the past ideas that had become prevalent from the work of Erasistratus when comparing it to that of his work and ideas.[26] Some historians have suggested that due to Erasistratus's disagreements with the ideologies found within Hippocratic teachings and beliefs, as well as notably phlebotomy, that Galen seems to ridicule some work that Erasistratus had synthesized.[26] However, there are numerous times that Galen backs the ideas of Erasistratus as well, leading to opposing claims that Galen was generally negative when discussing the ideologies produced by Erasistratus.[26]
Downfall and loss of influence after death
By the time both Erasistratus and Herophilus had died, the
Discovery of information regarding the Alexandrian physicians
Much of the documentation of the works of Erasistratus and Herophilus was undiscovered until the late 20th century,[26] so the importance of Erasistratus in the advancement of medical knowledge was not fully understood. The only substantial collection of information about their work was several fragments of their writings assembled by K.F.H. Marx and R. Fuchs from German texts.[26] Before that, nearly the only way to learn about the work was by analyzing Galen's works, which mention Erasistratus.[26] Similar sets of fragmented texts were also collected in English by J.F. Dobson. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, H. von Staden and Garofalo also found many important sources of information on the Alexandrian physicians.[26]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Wills, Adrian, and A Wills. “Herophilus, Erasistratus, and the Birth of Neuroscience.” Lancet 354, no. 9191 (November 13, 1999): 1719–20. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(99)02081-4.
- ^ a b c d e f Ferngren, Gary. “Vivisection Ancient and Modern.” History of Medicine 4, no. 3 (July 2017): 211–21. doi:10.17720/2409-5834.v4.3.2017.02b.
- PMID 1285450.
- S2CID 237608991.
- ^ Tieleman, Teun. “Head and Heart.” Religion & Theology 21, no. 1/2 (March 2014): 86–106. doi:10.1163/15743012-02101003.
- ^ "Erasistratus Of Ceos". Britannica.
- ^ "Erasistratus". Encyclopedia.com.
- ^ Suda, Erasistratos; Strabo, x.
- ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, Kos
- ^ Galen, Introd. c. 4, vol. xiv. p. 683
- ^ Julian, Misopogon
- ^ Pliny, Hist. Nat., xxix. 3
- ^ Diogenes Laertius, vii. 7. § 10; Pliny, Hist. Nat., xxix. 3; Galen, de Ven. Sect. adv. Erasistr. c. 7, vol. xi. p. 171
- ^ Sextus Empiricus, adv Mathem. i. 12,
- ^ Galen, de Sang, in Arter. c. 7, vol. iv. p. 729.
- ^ a b Mavrodi, Alexandra. "Morphology of the Heart Associated with Its Function as Conceived by Ancient Greeks." International Journal of Cardiology. 172, no. 1 (2014): 23-28.
- ^ Plutarch, Demetr. c. 38; Appian, de Rebus Syr. c. 59.
- ^ Appian, de Rebus Syr. c. 59-61; Galen, de Praenot. ad Epig. c. 6. vol. xiv. p. 630; Julian, Misopogon; Lucian, de Syria Dea, §§ 17, 18; Pliny, Hist. Nat. xxix. 3; Plutarch, Demetr. c. 38; Suda, Erasistratos; John Tzetzes, Chil. vii. Hist. 118; Valerius Maximus v. 7
- ^ Soranus, Vita Hippocr. in Hippocr. Opera, vol. iii. p. 852
- ^ Galen, de Praenot. ad Epig. c. 6. vol. xiv. p. 630
- ^ Aristaen.. Epist. i. 13
- ^ Heliod. Aethiop. iv. 7.
- ^ Pliny, Hist. Nat. xxix. 3
- ^ Galen, de Hippocr. et Plat. Decr. vii. 3, vol. v. p. 602.
- ^ Celsus, de Medic. i. praef.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Balalykin, Dmitry A. “What Do We Know about Erasistratus? Part 1.” History of Medicine 5, no. 1 (January 2018): 3–13. doi:10.17720/2409-5834.v5.1.2018.01a.
- ^ Strabo, xii.
- ^ Galen, de Venae Sect. adv. Erasistr. c. 2, vol. xi. p. 151
- ^ Caelius Aurelianus, de Morb. Acut. ii. 33
- ^ Galen, de Usu Part. vi. 12, vol. iii. p. 465
- ^ The pulmonary artery, which received the name phleps arteriodorus from Herophilus. See Rufus of Ephesus, de Appell. Part. Corp. Hum. p. 42
- ^ Galen, de Hippocr. et Plat. Decr. vi. 6, vol. v. p. 552.
- ^ a b c d e f g Boylan, Michael. "Galen: On Blood, the Pulse, and the Arteries." Journal of the History of Biology 40, no. 2 (2007): 207-230.
- ^ Smith, W., ed., Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. 2 (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1867), p. 43.
- ^ Galen, De Hippocr. et Plat. Decr. vi. 6, vol. v. p. 548.
- ^ Galen, De Hippocr. et Plat. Decr. vii. 3, vol. v. p. 603
- ^ Galen, De Hippocr. et Plat. Decr. vii. 3, vol. v. p. 602
- ^ Rufus of Ephesus, De Appell. Part. etc. p. 65.
- ^ Galen, de Atra Bile, c. 7. vol. v. p. 131
- ^ Galen, de Facult. Natur. ii. 2, vol. ii. p. 78
- ^ Galen, Comment, in Hippocr. De Alim. iii. 14. vol. xv. p. 308
- ^ Plutarch, Symposium, vii. 1; Aulus Gellius, xvii. 11; Macrobius, Saturn. vii. 15.
- ^ Aulus Gellius, xvi. 3.
- ^ Galen, de Differ. Puls. iv. 2, vol. viii. p. 703, et alibi
- ^ Galen, de Usu, Respir. c. 1. vol. iv. p. 471
- ^ Galen, de Venae Sect. adv. Erasistr. c. 2. vol. xi. p. 153, etc.; Pseudo-Plutarch, de Philosoph. Plac. v. 29.
- ^ Galen, Introd. c. 13. vol. xiv. p. 751.
- ^ a b c d Balalykin, Dmitry A. “What Do We Know about Erasistratus? Part 2.” History of Medicine 5, no. 2 (April 2018): 154–67. doi:10.17720/2409-5583.v5.2.2018.01a.
- ^ a b c d e Leith, David. 2015. “Elements and Uniform Parts in Early Alexandrian Medicine.” Phronesis 60 (4): 462–91. doi:10.1163/15685284-12341293.
References
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Erasistratus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 2. pp. 42–44.
Further reading
- Balalykin, Dmitry A. “What Do We Know about Erasistratus? Part 1.” History of Medicine 5, no. 1 (January 2018): 3–13. doi:10.17720/2409-5834.v5.1.2018.01a.
- Balalykin, Dmitry A. “What Do We Know about Erasistratus? Part 2.” History of Medicine 5, no. 2 (April 2018): 154–67. doi:10.17720/2409-5583.v5.2.2018.01a.
- Boylan, Michael. "Galen: On Blood, the Pulse, and the Arteries." Journal of the History of Biology 40, no. 2 (2007): 207–230.
- Brain, Peter (1986). Galen on bloodletting : a study of the origins, development, and validity of his opinions, with a translation of the three works. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-32085-2.
- Dajč, Eduard. "Erasistratus of Samos: The Renowned Hellenistic Cardiologist and His Contributions to Medicine." Acta Historiae Medicinae Stomatologiae Pharmaciae Medicinae Veterinariae 36, 1-2 (2017): 8-19. DOI: 10.25106/ahm.2017.1512
- Dajč, Eduard. "Physicians and Philosophers that Influenced Erasistratus of Samos." Acta Historiae Medicinae Stomatologiae Pharmaciae Medicinae Veterinariae 37, 1-2 (2018): 8-34. DOI: 10.25106/ahm.2018.2407
- Ferngren, Gary. “Vivisection Ancient and Modern.” History of Medicine 4, no. 3 (July 2017): 211–21. doi:10.17720/2409-5834.v4.3.2017.02b.
- Fraser, P. M. (1969). "The Career of Erasistratus of Ceos" (PDF). Istituto Lombardo, Rendiconti. 103: 518–537. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-27.
- ISBN 0-691-08286-3.
- Galen (1984). De Lacy, Phillip (ed.). On the Doctrines of Hippocrates and Plato (3rd ed.). Berlin: Akademie-Verlag.
- ISBN 0-674-99078-1.
- ISBN 0-915145-91-X.
- Harris, C. R. S. (1973). The heart and the vascular system in ancient Greek medicine. From Alcmaeon to Galen. Oxford: Clarendon. ISBN 0-19-858135-1.
- Leith, David. 2015. “Elements and Uniform Parts in Early Alexandrian Medicine.” Phronesis 60 (4): 462–91. doi:10.1163/15685284-12341293.
- Lloyd, G. E. R. (1975). "A Note on Erasistratus of Ceos". Journal of Hellenic Studies. 95: 172–175. S2CID 162191151.
- Lonie, I. M. (1964). "Erasistratus, the Erasistrateans, and Aristotle". Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 38: 426–443. PMID 14213123.
- Mavrodi, Alexandra. "Morphology of the Heart Associated with Its Function as Conceived by Ancient Greeks." International Journal of Cardiology. 172, no. 1 (2014): 23–28.
- Smith, W. D. (1982). "Erasistratus's dietetic medicine". Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 56 (3): 398–409. PMID 6753988.
- Tieleman, Teun. “Head and Heart.” Religion & Theology 21, no. 1/2 (March 2014): 86–106. doi:10.1163/15743012-02101003.
- von Staden, Heinrich (1975). "Experiment and Experience in Hellenistic Medicine". Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies. 22 (1): 178–199. .
- Wills, Adrian, and A Wills. “Herophilus, Erasistratus, and the Birth of Neuroscience.” Lancet 354, no. 9191 (November 13, 1999): 1719–20. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(99)02081-4.