Erasistratus of Samos: The Renowned Hellenistic Cardiologist and His Contributions to Medicine
Erasistratus of Samos: The Renowned Hellenistic Cardiologist and His Contributions to Medicine
Author(s): Eduard DajčSubject(s): Social history, Health and medicine and law
Published by: Naučno društvo za istoriju zdravstvene kulture
Keywords: cardiovascular system; history of medicine; Erasistratus; Galen; William Harvey
Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to shed some light on the life and work of Erasistratus of Samos (304–227 BCE), and especially on his discoveries regarding the work of cardiovascular system. The focus of the article is on Erasistratus’ priority in conceptualizing the blood circulation over Sir Willem Harvey some twenty centuries later. Erasistratus wasn’t the first to speculate the concept of blood circulation, but he was the first to comprehensively describe and prove it. The attention is also devoted to his work in other branches of the medicine, which is no less important: neuro–histology, anatomy, physiology, anatomy and physiology of digestive and uropoetic system, as well as his work in gynecology (sterility in women) and andrology (impotence in men). He fathered many practical inventions, such as the instrument for embriotomy, “Erasistratus’ patch” in treating rheumatic conditions etc.
Journal: Acta historiae medicinae, stomatologiae, pharmaciae, medicinae veterinariae
- Issue Year: 2017
- Issue No: 36
- Page Range: 8-19
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English