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Geriatric pathology à l'ancienne
1History Department, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|February 28, 2002
Summary
Ancient Greeks and Romans viewed aging as a natural disease, developing early theories. Aristotle and the Hippocratic school debated the cause, with Aristotle
Area of Science:
- * History of Medicine
- * Gerontology
- * Ancient Philosophy
Background:
- * Exploration of early medical and philosophical perspectives on aging.
- * Contextualizing ancient views within the framework of humoral theory.
Observation:
- * Ancient Greek and Roman scholars considered old age a disease.
- * Development of theories on aging by prominent figures like Aristotle and the Hippocratic school.
Findings:
- * Both Aristotelian and Hippocratic schools linked aging to a loss of bodily heat.
- * Aristotle proposed this heat loss was accompanied by dryness, while the Hippocratic school suggested humidity.
- * Aristotle's theory of aging gained wider acceptance and persisted for centuries.
Implications:
- * Highlights the historical roots of viewing aging as a pathological process.
- * Demonstrates the enduring influence of ancient medical theories on Western thought.
- * Provides context for understanding the evolution of gerontological science.