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Ancient Rome c.350BC - c.500AD
Surgery and Anatomy
SURGERY (Mostly Roman Army and Gladiators) Opium as anaesthetic
Galen: worked as a surgeon for gladiators and was able to develop new treatments
for weapon and sport injuries.
Tools: Tools: surgeons had finely crafted bronze and steel tools and could perform
some delicate operations like eye surgery (cataracts). Archaeology shows very
sophisticated equipment that look similar to modern surgical tools.
Roman Army: The heath of soldiers was very important as the Romans relied upon
them to conquer and defend their empire.
Hospitals: the Roman army had hospitals in most large forts and these had wards
and operating rooms like modern hospitals.
Doctors: the soldiers were cared for by trained doctors and surgeons (Medicus) and
first aid on the battlefield was performed by trained soldiers called capsarii
(bandagers). Celsus (a Roman writer) described that surgeons should be fit, healthy,
strong, and have good eyesight. They were trained to work quickly and ignore the
cries of their patients.
Treatments: The Romans could treat war wounds, such as cuts, arrow wounds and
amputations. They used cautery to stop bleeding. They knew that gangrene (a deadly
infection) could kill so amputation of limbs when necessary.
Overall, Roman surgery was an improvement on developments from Egypt and
Greece.
ANATOMY
Dissection was forbidden in Rome, so most were made without looking closely
inside the human body.
Gladiators: the Romans gained some knowledge of the muscles, nerves and blood
vessels from the study of wounded gladiators and athletes.
Galen: had studied at Alexandria and had observed the records of dissection that
took place there. This inspired him.
Dissection of animals: Galen dissected apes and pigs to learn about the body. He
also studied skeletons from broken graves. Many of Galen's discoveries were
incorrect, because he compared humans to animals. For example that the human jaw
has two parts (it only has one) and that blood flowed through holes in the heart (there
are no holes in the heart). These ideas lasted for over 1000 years, even though they
were wrong.
BRAIN vs HEART: Galen dissected a live pig to in front of an audience to prove that
the brain controlled speech and not the heart. He cut the nerves in the back, and it
stopped squealing.
Disease and Infection
Claudius Galen is the most important person in Roman medicine.
GALEN: worked as a surgeon for gladiators and was able to develop new
treatments for weapons and sports injuries.
Mostly same as Greek ideas e.g. Four Humours, Moderation etc....
OPPOSITES THEORY
A development of the four humours.
Galen said disease should be treated with an opposite e.g. Phlegm (cold
and wet) should be balanced with hot and dry e.g. pepper.
Romans linked dirt to disease. Romans linked MIASMA (bad air) to
disease.
Some supernatural explanations: Romans still believed in Gods and
prayed for health. An Asclepion was found in Rome.
Healers
Mostly Greek trained doctors (e.g. Galen) but many Roman's did not trust
doctors.
Medicines
Connected to four humours, but also used herbs and spices from across
the Empire.
Medical books on all aspects of medicine written by Galen and other
doctors.
Galen would last as a medical authority because Christianity supported
him.
Public Health
Factors
Public health was excellent for the time. Roman government encouraged and
provided public health.
RELIGION:
Some supernatural
What did they have?
 Town planning (avoid bad air/ good water nearby)
 Baths
 Clean water supply(aqueducts/reservoir)
 Sewers
 Army hospitals
 Toilets
(Be prepared to explain these)
INDIVIDUALS:
Galen
Why did they have these?
 Linked dirt, miasma and poor water to disease
 Healthy people = healthy empire and army
 Were a practical people and believed in prevention vs cure.
 Had the technology and engineers to complete these projects (mostly
adapted from Greece and Egypt, but more practical)
 Roman Empire was wealthy and well educated
 were builders as well as soldiers and constructed these facilities all
over the empire
 Bathing as a social activity became part of Roman culture
WAR:
Roman Army. Healthy people = healthy Empire
NB: Overall good for the time - but the Romans did still have epidemics
and plagues, so not perfect.
COMMUNICATION:
Large Empire and one language (Latin)
Galen's books and public shows
TECHNOLOGY:
Engineering/Practical
GOVERNMENT:
It was strong, rich and provided public health. Emperor
supported Galen.