Erasistratos - Erasistratos (English spelling)

An ancient Greek physician. Born in Iulia on the island of Ceos in the Aegean Sea, he lived in Syria for a time before moving to Alexandria, where he spread the medical theories of the Knidos school. He excelled in anatomy and physiology, and wrote detailed accounts of the brain and nervous system, and the cardiovascular system, particularly the structure and function of the heart valves, and is said to be the founder of pathological anatomy. He rejected Hippocrates' theory of the four elements and the theory of humoral pathology, and believed that the human body was made up of particles called atoms. In his clinical views, he placed great importance on diagnosis and paid attention to the individual's constitution. He preferred gentle methods for treating illnesses, and was extremely opposed to bloodletting, which was widely practiced at the time.

[Otori Ranzaburo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代ギリシアの医師。エーゲ海のケオス島のイウリスに生まれ、一時シリアに住み、のちアレクサンドリアに移り、クニドス派の医学説を伝えた。解剖学と生理学に優れ、脳神経系統、心臓脈管系統の研究、とくに心臓弁膜の構造と機能について詳しく記述し、病理解剖学の始祖ともいわれる。ヒポクラテスのいう四元素説と液体病理説を排し、人体を粒子アトムからなると考えた。臨床上の見解では診断を重んじ、個人の体質に注意を払った。病気の治療については穏やかな方法を好んで採用して、当時、一般に広く行われていた瀉血(しゃけつ)には極端に反対した。

［大鳥蘭三郎］

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