[Surgical case reports in the Corpus Galenicum]

Area of Science:

• Ancient medicine
• History of surgery

Context:

• Galen of Pergamum's case histories offer insights into Greco-Roman surgical practices.
• Previous analyses have primarily focused on literary and socio-historical aspects, with medical analysis being incomplete.

Purpose:

• To identify and analyze the surgical competences communicated in Galen's case reports.
• To explore the medical and therapeutic approaches to surgical diseases in antiquity.

Summary:

• Analysis of 358 Galenic case histories revealed 38 reports detailing surgical disorders, predominantly in wound, visceral, and thoracic surgery.
• Common conditions included soft tissue injuries, traumatic lesions, abscesses, nerve damage, dislocations, and breast tumors, with gladiator wounds being significant.
• Galen combined surgical interventions with conservative treatments and detailed drug therapies, showcasing differential diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning.

Impact:

• This study illuminates the breadth of surgical knowledge and practice during Galen's era.
• It highlights Galen's sophisticated approach to diagnosing and treating surgical conditions, including subtle interventions and comprehensive drug management.
• Provides a deeper understanding of the medical aspects of Galen's case histories for historical and medical research.