Hippocrates

Definition

Hippocrates, known as the Father of Medicine, was an ancient Greek physician who established principles that guided the medical field. His work laid the foundation for understanding disease as a natural process rather than a result of superstition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hippocrates emphasized the importance of observation and documentation in medical practice.
2. He proposed that diseases were caused by natural factors such as diet, lifestyle, and environmental conditions.
3. Hippocrates introduced the concept of 'humors,' which are bodily fluids believed to affect health.
4. The Hippocratic Oath, attributed to him, is a guiding ethical code for physicians that is still referenced today.
5. His approach to medicine shifted the focus from supernatural explanations to empirical observation and logical reasoning.

Review Questions

• What key principle did Hippocrates introduce that significantly changed medical practice?
• Name one way in which Hippocrates' work laid the foundation for modern medicine.
• What is the significance of the Hippocratic Oath in today's medical profession?

Related terms

Galen: A prominent Greek physician whose work built upon Hippocrates' theories.

Humorism: An ancient medical theory that attributes health to a balance of four bodily fluids or 'humors.'

Empirical Observation: The process of collecting data through direct and indirect observation or experience.