4.29 Hippocrates Biography & Facts

Many current medical theories and practices originated from a man who lived over 2,000 years ago. Hippocrates was ahead of his time in his thoughts on disease and patients. Come explore what contributions to modern medicine Hippocrates made.

Who Was Hippocrates?

Have you ever had an ear infection or any illness that you had to take medicine for? The medicine would have made you feel better and stopped your illness from getting worse. You have Hippocrates, a doctor who lived in ancient Greece, to thank for that. Many people think of him as the father of modern medicine. Let’s take a look at how he got that impressive title.

1. Main points:

The text introduces Hippocrates, an ancient Greek doctor, credited as the father of modern medicine, whose practices significantly influenced the way we treat illnesses today.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: Who is Hippocrates and why is he significant in the field of medicine?
• Contextual Analysis: How has Hippocrates’ approach to medicine influenced modern medical practices?
• Linguistic Analysis: What does the text imply about the impact of Hippocrates on our current understanding of medicine?

3. Further Discussion:

• What do you think medicine would be like today if Hippocrates had not made his contributions?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "You have Hippocrates, a doctor who lived in ancient Greece, to thank for that. Many people think of him as the father of modern medicine."
• Contextual Analysis: The text implies that Hippocrates’ approach to medicine has had a lasting influence on modern medical practices.
• Linguistic Analysis: "The medicine would have made you feel better and stopped your illness from getting worse. You have Hippocrates… to thank for that."

How Hippocrates Came to Be a Doctor

Hippocrates was born around 460 BCE on the Greek island of Kos. He was born into a wealthy family, which allowed him to receive a good education. He decided to become a doctor like his father, and studied under him and another physician named Herodicos.

Hippocrates learned from them by watching what they did and how they treated patients. It is thought that Hippocrates also traveled to Libya, Egypt, and the mainland of Greece to learn what doctors were doing in other countries. This greatly increased his knowledge about the medical field.

This portrait of Hippocrates was painted in 1665.

1. Main points:

The text describes Hippocrates’ early life, his education, and how his experiences and travels contributed to his extensive knowledge in medicine.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What factors contributed to Hippocrates’ education and knowledge in medicine?
• Contextual Analysis: How did Hippocrates’ travels influence his medical practices?
• Linguistic Analysis: What does the text suggest about the importance of observation and learning from others in Hippocrates’ medical training?

3. Further Discussion:

• Why do you think it’s important for doctors to learn from different places and cultures, as Hippocrates did?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "He was born into a wealthy family, which allowed him to receive a good education. He decided to become a doctor like his father, and studied under him and another physician named Herodicos."
• Contextual Analysis: "Hippocrates also traveled to Libya, Egypt, and the mainland of Greece to learn what doctors were doing in other countries."
• Linguistic Analysis: "Hippocrates learned from them by watching what they did and how they treated patients."

Practicing and Teaching Medicine

Eventually, Hippocrates wanted to share all that he had learned from his observations and travels. He passed down his knowledge to his two sons and the students of the medical school he opened in his homeland of Kos. During this time, he wrote about his medical findings and beliefs. His and other doctors’ writings of this time were put together in over 60 books called the Hippocratic Corpus. Hippocrates strongly believed in doctors sharing information so that all patients would benefit.

Hippocrates changed how people thought about how diseases developed. He believed there were natural causes of diseases, unlike others who thought diseases were caused by gods. His theories of disease and medicine were based on science, not philosophy.

I’m sure you’ve heard a doctor, your parents, and teachers tell you to eat healthy and get plenty of exercise. Hippocrates also promoted this concept. He would prescribe a healthy diet and exercise to patients with minor illnesses, but realized some would also need medicine, which was made from plants.

Hippocrates did most of his teaching in his homeland of Kos, a Greek island.

1. Main points:

The text discusses Hippocrates’ contributions to medicine, including his establishment of a medical school, the creation of the Hippocratic Corpus, and his belief in natural causes of diseases and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are some key aspects of Hippocrates’ approach to medicine?
• Contextual Analysis: How did Hippocrates’ views on disease differ from the prevailing beliefs of his time?
• Linguistic Analysis: What does the Hippocratic Corpus represent in the context of medical knowledge?

3. Further Discussion:

• How do you think Hippocrates’ emphasis on a healthy diet and exercise has influenced modern healthcare?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "Hippocrates… would prescribe a healthy diet and exercise to patients with minor illnesses, but realized some would also need medicine, which was made from plants."
• Contextual Analysis: "He believed there were natural causes of diseases, unlike others who thought diseases were caused by gods."
• Linguistic Analysis: "His and other doctors’ writings of this time were put together in over 60 books called the Hippocratic Corpus."

Hippocratic Oath

Hippocrates also wrote that patients should be treated well and given privacy. He wrote that doctors should heal and not hurt, and keep medical records of their patients. From these ideas came the Hippocratic Oath, which is both a document and a promise that medical students still make today before practicing medicine.

Hippocrates is believed to have died around 377 BCE in Larissa, Greece. No one knows exactly how old he was when he died, but what is known for sure is that he made very important contributions to the medical field.

These medical students are taking the Hippocratic Oath.

1. Main points:

The text highlights Hippocrates’ principles of patient care and privacy, his emphasis on the ethical practice of medicine, and the creation of the Hippocratic Oath, a lasting legacy in the medical profession.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What principles did Hippocrates advocate for in the treatment of patients?
• Contextual Analysis: How has the Hippocratic Oath influenced the practice of medicine?
• Linguistic Analysis: What does the text imply about the lasting impact of Hippocrates’ contributions to medicine?

3. Further Discussion:

• Why do you think the Hippocratic Oath is still relevant and taken by medical students today?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "Hippocrates also wrote that patients should be treated well and given privacy. He wrote that doctors should heal and not hurt, and keep medical records of their patients."
• Contextual Analysis: "From these ideas came the Hippocratic Oath, which is both a document and a promise that medical students still make today before practicing medicine."
• Linguistic Analysis: "No one knows exactly how old he was when he died, but what is known for sure is that he made very important contributions to the medical field."

Lesson Summary

Hippocrates was an ancient Greek doctor who believed illness and disease had natural causes. His findings and theories were written down in the Hippocratic Corpus. Medical students today make a pledge to practice medicine with morals by taking the Hippocratic Oath.