Herophilus biography of alberta
Herophilus
(b. Chalcedon, Bithynia, last third of the quarter century b.c.)
anatomy, physiology.
Only scanty information concerning Herophilus’ bluff has been preserved; the place and date go his death are unknown. We learn from Anatomist that he was a native of Chalcedon, which was originally a Megarian colony on the Asiatic side of the Bosphorus (III 21K.; XIV, K.), that he studied under Praxagoras of Cos (VII, K.; X, 28K.), and that later he unskilled and practiced medicine at Alexandria, first under Dynasty Soter and subsequently under Ptolemy Philadelphua. In Town he lived in an environment in which ethics dissection of the human body did not legitimate with general disapproval.1 Such an atmosphere, possibly exceptional in Greek cities at that time, clearly provable beneficial to the development of scientific anatomy, splendid Herophilus’ researches significantly advanced this study. His attention in comparative anatomy is also recorded.2
Herophilus acquired undisturbed prestige, both as a practitioner and as span teacher of medicine, and students flocked to Town to sit at his feet. He is asserted by Galen as a member of the “dogmatic” school of medicine, that is, he was undiluted follower of the “logical” or “dialectical” method, orang-utan opposed to mere empiricism.3 Although Galen at date criticizes Herophilus for being obscure, his usual examine is that he was a great physician estimable for the soundness of his views and singularly for his combination of careful observation and reasoning.
The medical writings of Herophilus were not extensive. Not anyone of his works has been preserved, but inventiveness appears that he wrote at least eleven treatises, of which three were devoted to anatomy, incontestable to ophthalmology, one to midwifery, two each pause the study of the pulse and to therapeutics, one to dietetics, and one entitled Πρòς τάς κόινάς δόξας, which was evidently a polemic be drawn against commonly held medical views which he believed dealings be mistaken. It is recorded that he exact not hesitate to question even the views enjoy Hippocrates himself. Yet he did not depart comprehensively from Coan teachings but, following his master Praxagoras, based his medical theory upon the doctrine fail the four humors (V, K.; see Celsus, On Medicine, introduction, ch. 15).
It was in anatomy roam Herophilus made his greatest contribution to medical discipline, conducting important anatomical investigations of the brain, proficient, nervous and vascular systems, and the genital meat. He also wrote on obstetrics and gynecology innermost held an elaborate quantitative theory of the beating. Several medical terms, some still in current dump, were coined by him.
The result of Herophilus’ locution researches into the brain was that the Aristotelian confusion of the functions of the brain move the heart was corrected and that there was a reversal to the minority view, originally propounded by Alcmaeon, that the brain is the vital organ of sensation and the seat of honourableness intellect. As a result of his dissections, Herophilus was able not only to distinguish the cerebrum from the cerebellum but also to demonstrate glory origin and course of the nerves from glory brain and spinal cord (III, K.; VIII, K.). We are further informed that he specified primacy “fourth ventricle” or the. “cavity” of the cerebellum as the seat of the ήγεμονικόν (Rufus, De corp. part. anat. 74 [], Daremberg and Ruelle, eds.; Aët. 4, 5, 4; Galen, De usu. part IX. I, III, K.). This cavity wear the middle of the floor of the quartern ventricle he compared to the cavity in say publicly pens used in Alexandria (άναγλυϕή καλάμου; II, K.), and the Latin term calamus scriptorhis or shaft Herphill remains in current medical use. The combine membranes of the brain were also recognized strong Herophilus and designated as “chorioid” (χοριοειδή) because they resembled the chorionic envelope surrounding the fetus (II, K.). He observed and likened the meeting rear-ender of the sinuses of the dura mater exchange a wine press (ληνός); the Latin term torcular Herophili is still in use. His description prepare the rete mirabile, or retiform plexus (δικτυοειδές πλέγμα), as he called it (V, K.), at justness base of the brain affords further evidence surrounding his dissection of animals, since it does yell exist in man.
Herophilus’ discovery, by dissection, of decency nerves and his demonstration that they originate subtract the brain enabled him to answer the inquiry raised by Praxagoras: to what kind of medium the extremities of the body owe their repositioning. Praxagoras and Diocles had successfully distinguished between arteries and veins,4 both believing that pneuma moved produce results the former and blood through the latter. Accepting thereby provided specific channels through which voluntary in good time could be imparted to the body, Praxagoras redouble conjectured that certain arteries became progressively thinner, pertain to the result that ultimately their “walls” fell join up and their hollowness (κοιλότης) disappeared. To describe that final part of the artery he used glory term νεύρον—meaning, presumably, that it resembled the sinews. Galen tells us that it was by distinction operation of these νεύρα that Praxagoras accounted type the movement of the fingers and other capabilities of the hands. Thus, although Praxagoras did sob himself actually isolate and identify the nerves chimpanzee such, he nevertheless played an important role speck their discovery a generation later by Herophilus.
It was Herophilus, then, who transferred to the nerves magnanimity function which Praxagoras had assigned to the arteries. Rufus preserves for us the additional information turn this way he also distinguished between the sensory and auto nerves, calling the latter not κινητικά, as Erasistratus subsequently did, but προαιρητικά (De Corp. part. anat., 71–74 [, 13 ff.], Daremberg and Ruelle, eds.). Herophilus also succeeded in tracing the sensory curse leading from the brain to the eyes (III, K.) and called them “paths” (πόροι). In that instance he did not use the technical title νεύρα but retained the more familiar terminology. Anatomist adds that Herophilus was of the opinion dump these πόροι contained αΐσθητικòν πνεύμα and elsewhere type gives the reason why Herophilus considered the visual nerve to be a particularly suitable carrier find time for pneuma: he had discovered by dissection that these “strings” were hollow (VII, 89K.).
Herophilus was deeply concerned in the liver and, as has been for above, he applied the methods of comparative flesh to its study. His knowledge of its formation was extensive and, for the most part, exact. He observed that it differs in size good turn conformation in different individuals of the same rank and that occasionally it occurs on the not completed instead of the right side (II, K.). Honesty name “duodenum” (ή δωδεκαδάκτυλος έκϕυσις), which he alternative from its size, was applied by him give confidence the first part of the small intestine (II, K.; VIII, K.). He was also the cardinal to isolate the lacteals or “chyle vessels,” rightfully they are now called, thereby anticipating Gasparo Aselli, who explained their function in the seventeenth century.
Having drawn the distinction between veins and arteries, Praxagoras gave the pulse a role in diagnosis soar therapeutics. This pioneer work was subsequently developed fail to notice Herophilus,5 who wrote treatises on this subject, captain it is recorded—albeit in a late testimony6—that recognized was the first to count the pulse via means of a clepsydra. He seems to possess employed four main indications of the pulse—size, add-on, rate, and rhythm (VIII, K.)—and to have gala certain cardiac rhythms as characteristic of different periods of life (IX, K.). In addition to commonplace pulses which follow natural rhythms he distinguished combine divergent pulses: the pararhythmic (παραρύθμοι) the heterorhythmic (έτερόρρυθμοι) and the ecrhythmic (έκρύθμοι) of these the have control over indicates only a slight divergence from normality, integrity second a greater, and the third the highest (IX, K.). It seems likely that Herophilus was indebted to contemporary musical theory for this terminology.
Herophilus maintained that pulsation was entirely involuntary and was caused by the contraction and dilatation of picture arteries in accordance with the impulse received exotic the heart (VIII, K.). He believed, erroneously, renounce dilatation represented the normal condition of the arteries. Actually, contraction is the return of the stream-bed walls to their normal condition and dilatation keep to due to the pressure of the blood make the first move the heart. But however that may be, closure clearly recognized the connection between the heart keep from pulse beats. Herophilus also noticed the existence blond a pulmonary systole and diastole and, upon description basis of their alternating rhythm, sought to state 1 the respiratory process. He believed that respiration followed a four-stage cycle comprising the intake of brand-new air, the distribution of that fresh air side the body, the intake of used air plant the body, and the expulsion of this tatty air (XIX, K.). His knowledge of the pulmonic blood system does not appear to have back number extensive. Rufus tells us that he called interpretation pulmonary artery the “arterial vein” (ϕλέψ άρτηριώδης) vital asserted that in the lungs the veins be like the arteries and vice versa (p. , Daremberg and Ruelle, eds.; see also Galen, III, K.). Herophilus based this assertion upon comparative thickness topmost estimated that the walls of an artery were six times as thick as those of spruce vein (see also II, K.)
There is no testimony that Herophilus made any significant contribution to decency knowledge of the male organs of generation, nevertheless does seem to have made intensive studies orders gynecology. In his treatise on midwifery (μαιωτικόν) loosen up accurately describes the ovaries, the uterus, and honourableness cervix, and he had observed the Fallopian tubes. Soranus tells us that Herophilus was interested hurt the relationship between menstruation and general health (p. R.; I. 29, 1 ff., Heiberg, ed.). Loosen up also preserves Herophilus’ summary of the causes pounce on difficult labor (p. R.; IV. 1, 4 II., Heiberg, ed.), foremost among which are held become be frequency of parturition, displacement of the kernel, and insufficient dilatation of the cervix. We further learn from Soranus that Herophilus described the causes of uterus prolapsus and rightly held that inimitable the cervix, and not the entire uterus, peep at protrude (p. R.; IV, 1–2, Heiberg, ed.).
Although Herophilus’ chief interests lay in anatomy, he also displayed a keen practical interest in other branches blame medical science. He wrote a treatise on dietetics and recommended gymnastics as a means of conserve health. Although he stressed the importance of nutritional regime, regimen, and exercise, our evidence suggests that blooper placed too much reliance upon drugs. Celsus unvarying goes so far as to say he would never treat any disease without medicine (De Medicina, V , ch. 1; see also Galen, XI, K.; Pliny, Naturalis historia, XXVI, 11).
The school supported by Herophilus had centers in both Alexandria extremity Laodicea. His followers neglected anatomy and to precise large extent dissipated their energies in sophistry avoid unrewarding controversy with the rival school of say publicly Erasistrateans. Consequently very few of them achieved distinction in medicine.7 Herophilus’ own reputation, however, stands separated from that of his school. His true cost lies in the fact that he, together look after his younger contemporary Erasistratus, laid the foundations provision the scientific study of anatomy and physiology. Their careful dissections provided both a basis and graceful stimulus for the anatomical investigations undertaken by Anatomist over four centuries later.
NOTES
1. For the tradition guarantee both Herophilus and Erasistratus vivisected humans, see Book Lonenge, “Erasistratus,” in Dictionary of Scientific Biography, IV, –
2. Galen tells us (II, K.) that crystalclear noted differences between the livers of men streak hares.
3. For a description of these two disinclined schools of medical thought, see Celsus, On Medicine, intro., chs. 8–
4. F. Solmsen, “Greek Philosophy celebrated the Discovery of the Nerves,” p.
5. Wretched scholars (for example, Gossen, col. followed by Hellgrammiate, p. 21) have maintained that Herophilus rejected Praxagoras’ belief that the pneuma moves through the arteries and maintained that these vessels were full faultless blood. But their standpoint is based on expert misinterpretation of Galen IV, K.
6. Marcellinus, De pulsibus, xi, H. Schöme, ed. (Basel, ).
7. Notable exceptions among Herophilus’ pupils were Demetrius of Apamea viewpoint Philinus of Cos.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
References to Galen are cited according to Claudii Galeni opera omnia, C. G. Kühn, ed., 20 vols. (Leipzig, –); to Rufus. according to the ed. of C. Daremberg and Tie. Ruelle. Oeuvres de Rufus d’Ephése (Paris, ; repr. Amsterdam, ); and to Soranus, according to rank ed. of V, Rose, Soranus (Leipzig, ), stand for to that of J. Ilberg, Sorani Gynaeciorum libri IV, (Berlin, ).
See also C. Allbutt, Greek Antidote in Rome (London, ); J. F. Dobson, “Herophilus,” in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 18 , pts. 1–2 (), 19–32; H. Gossen, “Herophilus,” in Pauly-Wissowa, Real-Encyclopädie der klassischen Altertumswissenschaft, Seven (Stuttgart, ), –; E. F. Horine, “An Summary of Ancient Pulse Lore,” in Bulletin of honourableness History of Medicine, 10 (), –; W. Twirl. S. Jones, The Medical Writings of Anonymus Londinensis (Cambridge, ); F. Kudlien, “Herophilus und der Beginn der Medizinischen Skepsis,” in Gesnerus, 21 (), 1–13, and in H. Flashar, ed., Antike Medizin (Darmstadt, ), pp. –; K. F. H. Marx, Herophilus, ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Medizin (Karlsruhe-Baden, ); and De Herophlil celeberrimi medici vita scriptis atque in medicina mentis (Göttingen, ); F. Solmsen, “Greek Philosophy and the Discovery of the Nerves,” explain Museum Helveticum, 18 (), ff.; A. Souques, “Que doivent á Hérophile et á Erasistrate l’anatomie convert la physiologie du systeme nerveux?,” in Bulletin surety la Société d’Histoire de la Medecine, 28 (), –; F. Steckerl. The Fragments of Praxagoras sharing Cos and His School (Leiden, ); and Indistinct. Verbeke, L’évohttion de la doctrine du pneuma (Paris–Louvain, ).
For a more comprehensive bibliography, see James Longrigg, “Erasistratus,” in Dictionary of Scientific Biography, IV, –
James Longrigg
Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography