Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

(http://www.greekmedicine.net/whos_who/Aristotle.html).
370 BC Hippocrates (c460–370 BC) advocated an underlying theory of
disease based on the four humours (blood, yellow bile, black bile and
phlegm) and the four elements (earth, fire, water, air) with their pairs
of associated qualities (wet and dry, hot and cold). Imbalances of
one element led to an increase in the production of its associated
humour, causing disease (Cahill, 2005). Belief in the ‘humours’
lasted into the early 20 th century, and the humours were responsible
for the practices of bloodletting, emesis and purging, which
tormented patients over the centuries.
Hippocrates first reported adverse reactions to cow’s milk around
370 BC. It is often quoted that Hippocrates said ‘Primum non
nocere’. This is unsubstantiated and similarly Galen and Ambrose
Paré have been cleared of responsibility (Smith, 2005). The actual
phrase was coined by Thomas Inman in 1860. However, it is the
opinion of many scholars that Hippocrates did, in fact, state a similar
the phrase, but did so in his Epidemics, Book. I, Section. XI. One
translation reads: ‘Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the
future; practice these acts. As to diseases, make a habit of two
things — to help, or at least to do no harm’. Although this is an
exhortation or command it should be interpreted as a hope. Whether
the translation is accurate and it really means ‘ make a habit…to do
no harm’ is questionable. There must have always been a balanced
judgement as to whether any action might cause harm or benefit.
‘Cutting off of a doctor’s hands’ if he caused the patient to die only
happened, one hopes, if the doctor was negligent. Now, of course,
‘We must operate on sensible risk/benefit principles’ (Shelton, 2000).
Hippocrates recommended chewing willow leaves for analgesia in
childbirth. He was familiar with blood-letting.
Hippocrates’ aphorisms:
‘In acute diseases employ drugs very seldom and only at the
beginning. Even then, never prescribe until you have made a
thorough examination of the patient.’
‘Drugs may be administered to pregnant women from the
fourth to the seventh month of gestation.’ (Chadwick & Mann,
1950)
‘Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can heal the
patient with food.’
37. ‘Purgative medicines agree ill with persons in good health.’