| Uroscopy by Hippocrates and Theophilus: prognosis versus diagnosis. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17161998 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
PURPOSE: In antiquity the visual examination of urine (uroscopy) is well documented. Uroscopy gradually evolved from a prognostic indicator to a diagnostic tool. Comparison of the uses of uroscopy by Hippocrates (400 BC) and Theophilus (700 AD) illustrates this transformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical and historical literature as well as the translated works of Hippocrates. RESULTS: Although Hippocrates was one of the first physicians to use urine to interpret human body functioning, urine was mainly used as a means for prognosis and prediction of outcomes of illness. In his text De Urinis Theophilus introduced an innovative doctrine and used uroscopy for diagnosis of illnesses. In this respect uroscopy became a paradigm for later diagnostic strategies and is considered an important milestone in the history of clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Hippocrates' writings displayed uroscopy used in examination of illness. However, he considered it in the context for accurate prognoses. Theophilus treated uroscopy in a sophisticated objective manner and attempted to use uroscopy in an orderly, systemic method to accurately diagnose illness. It was through these approaches to uroscopy that Theophilus became one of the physicians who contributed to the birth of medieval medical studies. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Erik Kouba; Eric M Wallen; Raj S Pruthi |
Related Documents
:
|
6874358 - Physician shortage areas and policies to influence practice location. 10052308 - Special medical examination program reform proposal in korea. 8227378 - High-resolution ultrasonography in the diagnosis of scrotal pathology: i. normal scrotu... 1568838 - Defects in postgraduate clinical skills as revealed by the objective structured long ex... 21705898 - Characteristics of out-of-hospital shock care. 15033558 - The pharmacy-based cost group model: validating and adjusting the classification of med... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Biography; Historical Article; Journal Article; Portraits |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: The Journal of urology Volume: 177 ISSN: 0022-5347 ISO Abbreviation: J. Urol. Publication Date: 2007 Jan |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2006-12-12 Completed Date: 2007-01-26 Revised Date: 2008-11-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 0376374 Medline TA: J Urol Country: United States |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 50-2 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
|
Division of Urologic Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Diagnostic Techniques, Urological
/
history* Greece History, Ancient Humans Prognosis Turkey Urine* |
| Personal Name Subject | |
Personal Name Subject:
|
Hippocrates; Theophilus |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Questionnaires to assess urinary and anal incontinence: review and recommendations.
Next Document: Predicting the histology of renal masses using preoperative Doppler ultrasonography.