Document Detail


Hippocrates, Galen, and the uses of trepanation in the ancient classical world.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17961050     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Trepanation is the process by which a hole is drilled into the skull, exposing the intracranial contents for either medical or mystical purposes. It represents one of the oldest surgical procedures, and its practice was widespread in many ancient cultures and several parts of the world. Trepanation was used in ancient Greece and Rome, as described in several ancient texts. Hippocrates and Galen are two of the most prominent ancient Greek medical writers, and their works have influenced the evolution of medicine and neurosurgery across the centuries. The purpose of this paper is to examine Hippocrates' and Galen's written accounts of the technique and use of trepanation in the ancient Greek and Roman world. Examination of those records reveals the ancient knowledge of neurological anatomy, physiology, and therapeutics, and illustrates the state and evolution of neurosurgery in the classical world.
Authors:
Symeon Missios
Publication Detail:
Type:  Historical Article; Journal Article; Portraits; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Neurosurgical focus     Volume:  23     ISSN:  1092-0684     ISO Abbreviation:  Neurosurg Focus     Publication Date:  2007  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-10-26     Completed Date:  2008-01-02     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100896471     Medline TA:  Neurosurg Focus     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  E11     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, USA. Symeon.Missios@hitchcock.org
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Craniocerebral Trauma / history,  surgery*
Greece
History, Ancient*
Humans
Manuscripts, Medical / history
Neurosurgical Procedures / history*,  methods
Skull / surgery*

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