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MEDICAL TEACHING IN ROME. I II
stone,—to which GALEN assigned an origin similar to that
ot gouty tophi,—* and consumption! were more closely investigated.
For the last mentioned disease among other
things sea voyages were recommended and residence in
sanatoria of suitable climate especially in Egypt The
pathology of the nervous system was pursued also with
zeal and success. GALEN states that he was able to trace
m one case paralysis of the fingers to an injury of the
spinal cordj and ARET^US was aware that the nerve fibres
cross soon after their origin and thence explains the fact
that after wounds of one hemisphere of the brain the
opposite side of the body is paralyzed.§
Instruction in practical medicine was given partly during
the private practice of the teacher who took students with
him to his patients, partly in Iatreia. The latter were
arranged after the Greek pattern and were called Tabernae
medic* or Tabernse medicinae.\\ They were the shops or
public places of business of the doctors who received and
treated patients at them, performed surgical operations, prepared
and sold medicines, and dwelt with their assistants
and pupils. Into some of these institutions patients—for
instance people of unsound mind—were admitted.^ Many
towns erected Iatreia at their own cost and gave them
over to doctors to induce them to take up their permanent
abode there.** As GALEN,tt who has left complete information
on this point, says, they were for the most part
situated in large buildings with high doors letting in plenty
of light and air and were furnished with surgical instruments
and medical appliances.
* GALEN xiii, 993. xvii A, 835.
f CELSUS iii, 22.—ARET/EUS : de chron. i, 8.—C/EL. AUREL.: de chron
», 14.
+ GALEN viii, 213.
§ ARET,£US: de chron. i, 7.
I PLAUTUS : Amphytryo iv, 4. Epidic. ii, 1.
If PLAUTUS: Menachmi v, 947-956".—SPARTIANUS : Vita Hadriani, c. 12.
** GALEN.xviii B, 678.
tt GALEN xviii 6,629-925.