Hippocrates (circa 460-377 BC) was a prominent Greek physician from the Mediterranean island of Cos, credited with establishing a school there and often hailed as the "Father of Medicine." This is the common perception, yet in reality, little is known about the first physician named Hippocrates. It is believed that multiple individuals bearing that name existed, all of whom taught at the renowned medical school on Cos. It was during the 5th century BCE that Hippocrates began to be recognized as a leader in medical research and philosophy.He is generally acknowledged for shifting away from divine interpretations of medicine, advocating instead for the observation of the human body as the foundation for medical knowledge. His approach did not prioritize prayers or sacrifices to the gods but emphasized dietary changes, beneficial drugs, and maintaining bodily balance.Central to his medical philosophy was the humoral theory, which proposed that health depended on the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Imbalances in these fluids were believed to cause illness, sometimes necessitating treatments like bloodletting or purging to restore equilibrium.The Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of writings attributed to Hippocrates, comprises about sixty works on various medical subjects, such as diagnosis, epidemics, gynecology, and surgery. These texts are thought to have multiple authors, likely spanning several centuries, and often present conflicting advice.Hippocrates' followers produced over 60 medical texts covering a wide array of topics, including diseases, gynecology, and head injuries. As for the Hippocratic Oath, little is known about its original authorship or initial use. It is believed to be more influenced by Pythagorean followers than by Hippocrates himself and is often dated to the 4th century BCE. Throughout time, the Oath has been frequently revised to align with the values of different cultures influenced by Greek medicine. See Hippocratic Oath for more information.
