Conception and Pregnancy; The Seed and The Nature of the Child, Hippocrates

 Why you might read The Seed and The Nature of the Child?

The Seed and the Nature of the Child is an interesting dive into early embryology. It shows us the genesis of some other ideas we hold now. Although it posits some things we now know to be untrue. It is none the less an eye-opener into early greek medicine. That being said it covers more of what is happening and less actual treatment based medicine.

In my Self Education project, it stands as a genesis of embryology.

Content of The Seed and The Nature of the Child

Hippocrates starts with the male sperm. He follows this with the female sperm and conception. He states that conception is when the female body holds onto the male sperm. He also states that when the male sperm is greater you will get a male child. The same, he says is true, of it the female sperm is dominant you will get a female child. He also spends a bit of time discussing the moistening of the female womb.

After conception, he speaks of the warmth generated being taken in by the foetus. This is, he says, how the foetus first grows. He then goes on to explain how the breath starts in the foetus and how it breaths. this is both on its own in the warmth and from its mother the cool air of outside. He talks of the separating of the limbs. How long that takes depends on the sex of the child. He first spends a lot of time proving this but comparing it to how long the woman discharges after birth. Second, he gets sidetracked into the life cycle of trees. This is in order to make comparisons to the growing bones in the child. He finishes with another sidetrack. This takes the form of the temperature of surface water during the winter and summer.

Reflections on The Seed and The Nature of the Child

Hippocrates assertion that there is male and female sperm is one that has been since disproven. Instead, we talk about the male sperm and the female egg. But at least he is firmly of the opinion that the child comes from both parents genetically. In fact, he discusses how the child will be a mix of the parents and there is no way it will not look like either.

His explanation around the breath of the child is interesting. We now know that foetal breathing is essential to lung development. That being said it starts much later, at 10 weeks, than Hippocrates posits. Whether his thoughts are due to an overemphasis on the breath and life. Whether he has come to his conclusion by other means. Either way, it is interesting that he lines up with what is happening to some degree.  We will never know how he got to that conclusion.

His sidetracks while interesting are rather longer than necessary to make his point. His comparisons though show a lot about how he conceives of the development of the child. His comparison with developing chicken eggs is a great way to get some information on the animal kingdom. And you can see he used this to inform his ideas.

What others have to say about The Seed and The Nature of the Child

"it is of considerable interest for the historian of gender." from a paper by Jean-Baptiste Bonnard

Comparisons with other texts

In some ways, this text follows on from The Nature of Man. Instead of staying at a surface level though it delves into reproduction in humans. But like The Nature of Man, it seeks to cover a discrete amount of information.

Conclusion

The Seed and the Nature of the Child set out conception through to birth. It takes what could be known at the time and makes some good guesses at what is going on. Hippocrates takes some interesting sidetracks into the growth of trees and the temperature of springs. This being said he does eventually like them to the topic at hand. His work on the child is interesting in that it defiantly sees the foetus as a person.

Have you read The Seed and the Nature of the Child? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read The Seed and the Nature of the Child but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Seed and the Nature of the Child.

How to set almost any type of Fracture; Fractures, Hippocrates

 Why you might read Fractures?

Fractures is the first surgical text that we have seen. As such it fills a gap about how injuries were treated. It is systematic, as we have come to expect from Hippocrates.

In my Self Education project, it starts to fill that gap of how injuries were treated. Injuries being the other part of medicine. It also gives insight into how dangerous a bone break was at the time.

Content of Fractures

The title sums it up nicely! This work covers a complete set of breaks for the arms and legs. It includes breaks that come out through the skin as well as simple breaks. 

Hippocrates starts with basic breaks of the arms and details how to realign them. He moves onto how to bandage them. He then discusses when to change the bandages and when to splint the break. Interestingly he does not recommend splinting until the seventh day. This is after some of the inflammation has gone down. He then moves onto the hands and feet. Then he details broken legs. Interestingly his advice is almost the same for the different types of breaks. He moves onto breaks that break the skin. He spends time dispelling some of the things others do. For example, wrapping around the injury but no the injury itself. He goes on to recommend wrapping with wide bandages. And then treating it very similarly to other breaks. Finally, he deals with dislocations. He instructs how to put back all variations for dislocations for knee, wrist, ankle and elbow. Some even require a group of strong men to be effective.

Reflections on Fractures

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As I mentioned in the content, Hippocrates actually recommends very similar methods for bandaging. The realignments differ and are given for every type of break. He also recommends waiting for the swelling to come down before setting the bone. Today we set the bone straight away but we do tend to put on looser casts until the swelling comes down.

Hippocrates explains how to design mechanical contraptions. The purpose of these is to help with traction and setting bones without other people.  It is interesting though I found it a little hard to picture in my mind. He seems to think they are helpful but is also very clear that they can be done without

Hippocrates is clear when there is likely to be ongoing issues. For example with shortening of the bone making a person lame. This really hammered home to me how much more dangerous bone breaks were at the time. As well as how easily even a treated break could go wrong.

What others have to say about Fractures

Actually, the internet is rather silent about this work. That being said there are many places you can find a copy of the text online.

Comparisons with other texts

Like Aphorisms, Fracture is to the point. They both cover the exact treatment for different illness or injuries. Aphorisms covers a wide range of illnesses. By contrast, Fractures systematically moves through the possible fractures of the limbs.

Unlike Traditions in Medicine, Hippocrates is not focused on food. He does mention diet a little but it is not the overwhelming way to treat things like it is in some of his other works. Fractures is a more practical manual for a more practical problem.

Conclusion

Fractures is a fairly detailed treatment of fractures of the limbs. It covers them in a logical sequence from the bottom of the leg to the top. Also, it adds in the arms alongside there analogous parts of the leg. For example, the ankle is dealt with then the wrist. I could not find anyone else on the internet commenting on this work. It is a very different work from what we have seen from Hippocrates to this point. 

Have you read Fractures? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read Fractures but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of Fractures.

A regimen for the well; A Regimen for Health, Hippocrates

 Why you might read A Regimen for Health

A Regimen for Health fills the gap of what a healthy person should be doing to stay well. It takes Hippocrates philosophy and spreads it into preventative medicine.

In my Self Education project, it fills exactly that gap. As well as giving further insight into what Hippocrates saw as the health person. 

Content of A Regimen for Health

This book details what should be done on a daily and seasonal basis to stay in good health. Hippocrates starts with the seasons. He states that in the winter little water should be taken and the food dry. The transition between season should be done gently. The change between dry and wet in winter and summer respectively.

He then moves on to differences in the state of one's body makes. Giving different recommendations for young and old and fat and thin. As well as hard and soft. 

His recommendations stay entirely around types of food and drink. He also includes the frequency of meals. Finally, he details how to lose and gain weight. As well as what type of exercise should be done.

Reflections on A Regimen for Health

Today we have our own ideas around what is health. Both to do what is healthy to eat and drink as well as what exercise. So it should not be surprising that Hippocrates had his own ideas of what would keep people well. He covers a fair bit of ground given the length of this text. The interesting thing is that he does not really stop and explain his reasoning. This is a little against his normal tendencies. 

What others have to say about A Regimen for Health

"Disease is not an entity, but a fluctuating condition of the patient’s body, a battle between the substance of disease and the natural self-healing tendency of the body." From Excellence Reporter

"He considered that the habits and environment in which a person was, influenced the illnesses that he contracted." From Life persona

Comparisons with other texts

This is the antithesis of Hippocrates work Regimen in Acute Diseases. Yet it covers a lot of the same ground. With directions about eating and drinking being the centre of both works. 

It also relates to The Science of Medicine. It is a continuation of the idea that everything can be discovered in its best form. In this case, it is the same ideas applied to how to stay healthy.

Conclusion

This short work covers what to eat and when for the best health. It expands into more specifics like if you are thin or fat. We have looked at how it is a continuation of the idea of Medicine as a science. As well as how it complements and contrasts the Regimen in Acute Diseases. But in all, it is just what it says a Regimen for Health.

Have you read A Regimen for Health? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read A Regimen for Health but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of A Regimen for Health.

A basic overview; The Nature of Man, Hippocrates

 Why you might read the Nature of Man

This text is put together for a more general audience. As such it does not expect any prior knowledge. This makes it rather informative as to what Hippocrates expected people to know. This is of course in regards to the subject of Medicine.

In my Self Education Project, it serves to inform my understanding of the texts around it. As well as add to my understanding of bloodletting.

Content of the Nature of Man

This short book is the transcript of a speech given at a debate. It starts by refuting the idea that man is made of one element. Whether it be Earth, Fire, Air or Water. Or if it is Yellow Bile, Black Bile, Phlegm or Blood. Instead, Hippocrates proposes that man is made of all four of Yellow Bile, Black Bile, Phlegm and Blood. He continues on to say that each of the four has its season of the greatest amount in the body. For example, winter brings an increase in Phlegm and so on through the seasons. Having made his point he moves on to the placement of blood vessels in the body. He details six and for each of the six gives the place where they should be cut for bloodletting. He finishes with some general information about when to change the regime. He contrasts this with when to make only small changes. He also details the difference between an epidemic and the outbreak of many sicknesses. 

Reflections on the Nature of Man

This text contains the most detailed instructions for bloodletting that we have seen. Yet we still do not have any idea what sort of illness this should be used for. It is clear that Hippocrates must think this is common knowledge. He has yet to explain it in the scientific way he has laid out everything else.

While what he thinks the body is made of is outdated now. It is inline with understanding at the time. Also, the idea that man is all of those things is a step forward in understanding both the physical nature of man. As well as the nature of cures and sickness.

What others have to say about the Nature of Man

 Health is a harmonious balance of the Four Humors.  Disease results from their disharmony and imbalance.  The physician's job is to restore health by correcting the imbalance and restoring harmony to the humors. From Greek Medicine 

Comparisons with other texts

Regime of Acute Diseases is also vague on the use of bloodletting. There we see it as a side note in some of the treatments. While in this work it is detailed a little more as to where to cut but not when to cut.

This is the first time Hippocrates has seriously gone into the four humors. But his analysis and exposition follow his scientific mindset. He sets down this idea in The Science of Medicine.

Conclusion

While this book is back to basics. It still provides us with unique information around how Hippocrates saw the four humors. He also gives quite a bit of detail on the circulatory system. He finishes the book with a discussion on treating Epidemics verses treating an outbreak of different diseases. We have looked at how others have characterised his view of the humors. As well as how we are slowly getting a better picture of bloodletting.

Have you read The Nature of Man? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read The Nature of Man but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Nature of Man.

More biblical plays and a morality play; Everyman and Medieval Miracle Plays(11-16), Various Unknown

 Why you might read the Miracle Plays

The Miracle plays are a snapshot of how Medieval England saw the stories of the Bible.  I am just reading a collection of them rather than each version. This makes them great to compare how Christianity was understood across time, even if they are not directly about doctrine. The Everyman Play expands this to include how Medieval England saw salvation and the death of the Christian.

For my Self Education project, they fill this role. They allow for a greater understanding of the way in which faith was a part of everyday life in medieval England. This will be important when I get to read more of the church fathers. As a narrative, they show a stage in the development of the play in the English speaking world.

Stories of the Miracle Plays(11-16)

The Crucifixion

This play covers the soldiers at the crucifixion. Their dialogue as they nail Christ to the cross and lift the cross into its position is most of the content of the play. There is the occasional interlude of Christ speaking, though it is to God not to the soldiers. 

The Harrowing of Hell

This starts with a group introducing themselves in hell. This includes people like Adam and David. Then Satan skites that Jesus is coming to hell. When Jesus arrives however he opens the gates and rescues those we have been introduced to. 

The next scene is in heaven. We are introduced to those who have never been to hell like Elijah and the thief on the cross.

The final scene is back in hell as Satan reestablishes control and welcomes new sinners.

The Resurrection

The play starts with a devout centurion telling Pilate and the head priests that Jesus will rise from the dead. Pilate and company then decide to have the tomb guarded. They send 4 soldiers to guard the tomb. But they fall asleep. Some women of Jesus' followers come to see the body but it is gone. An angel appears to them and tells them he has risen and is gone. 

The soldiers see the empty tomb and decide to tel pilate and the head priests that he rose. The priests pay them to say they were overwhelmed by force and the body stolen.

The Judgement

The play starts with God laying out human creation and fall, as well as redemption through Christ. The angels then go out with trumpets to start the judgement and raise the dead. the devils prepare for more people. Christ sits in judgment and separates the good from the bad. The play paraphrases Christ's comments. These comments are around when I was in need you feed me, clothed me etc. For the Good, he sends them on to eternal bliss and for the Bad, he sends them to hell. 

Everyman

The everyman play starts with Death visiting Everyman. He tells him he has come to his time of reckoning. He laments this and turns to his friends but they desert him. He tries again with his family but they also desert him. He tries his goods but they cannot be taken with him. He turns to good deeds but she is sick. she calls knowledge to him and he takes Everyman to confession. After confession, Good deeds is well and companies him the rest of the way. Knowledge then calls in Beauty, Strength, Discretion and his Five senses to join them. They proceed to the priest for the Lord's supper (communion). Then Everyman comes to his death and Beauty, Strength, Discretion and his five senses all fail him and leave. As does Knowledge and he is left with Good Deeds. He is taken to Jesus in heaven for his accounting.

The Death of Pilate

This Apocraphyal play covers Pilates death at the hands of a converted Tiberius Caesar. The Emperor is sick with leprosy and sends to Pilate for Jesus. He believes the prophet can heal him. His messenger arrives and Pilate sends him out looking for Jesus. He stumbles upon Veronica who tells him that Jesus is dead. He laments but she tells him that she might be able to heal the Emperor. She expects to do so using a covering that Jesus used. She is taken to the emperor and he is healed. The emperor declares Jesus his Lord. Veronica asks him to take vengeance on Pilate for Jesus death and he agrees. He sends executioners to retrieve Pilate. Once Pilate is in his presence he is rather slippery. But eventually, the Emperor gets his cloak, which was worn by Jesus. He sends him to the dungeon to await trial and death. Before this can happen Pilate kills himself. The emperor orders him buried but the body won't stay in the ground. He then has it cast into the river but the river starts killing people. So he has him taken to sea and cast into the depths. The devil then takes hold of the body and his soul into hell. 

Reflections on the Miracle Plays (11-16)

The Crucifixion

The soldiers in this play seem to spend a lot more time talking. Compared to how much they spend actually at the task of putting Jesus on the cross. The interplays in between them though keep it interesting. One of them even seems to think of himself more as an overseer. 

Jesus' few lines are again more indicative of what was known later than at the time. He speaks of saving the sins of the world. We don't hear about that biblically until after the resurrection. 

The Harrowing of Hell

This entire play is only hinted at in the bible. I found it interesting that the saints of the past were in hell. I had thought that this would have been within the time frame where purgatory was a doctrine of the church. Purgatory was the in-between place where the dead went before the judgement. Rather than straight to hell to be rescued by christ after his death. Purgatory is no longer a doctrine of the church. There was little in the bible that even hinted at it.

The Resurrection

The fact that it is a centurion at the start that warns them that Jesus will rise is interesting. In the bible, they are just aware of this fact without any particular warning. This telling is rather close to the account in the bible. But we do not see Jesus appearing to the women as we do in at least one of the gospels. 

The Judgement

The recap of the history that has led up to this point, allows this play to be stand-alone. Rather than relying on the audiences prior knowledge.

The actual judgment portion fit very well with scripture and is even paraphrasing it closely in places.

Everyman

The random reference to Jupiter in the middle of the play was a little surprising. To find a god's names from the Roman pantheon used to describe the Christian God was just strange.

It was interesting how his goods did not just desert him but also admitted that they had distracted him from God. While he was still living he loved them more than God. This is the only specifics of his sins that is gone into in the play. For the rest of the play, he just refers to his sins as a whole.

The Death of Pilate

At the very end of the play, three devils discuss the body and soul of Pilate. These are named Beelzebub, Satan and Lucifer. This is interesting because these are generally accepted as three different names of the same being. Rather than as three devils.

In the real world, Tiberius was never a follower of Jesus and instead was the predecessor to Caligula. Caligula was one of the persecuting emperors.

What others have to say about the Miracle Plays(11-16)

From Britannica about Everyman "this short play (about 900 lines) is more than an allegorical sermon because vivid characterization gives it dramatic energy"

From York Mystery plays about The judgement. "This was both an act of worship and ‘community theatre’ for the entertainment of locals and visitors alike, honouring God,"

Comparisons to other texts

Four of six of the plays are based around the Christian Bible. They carry in how close to the biblical account they come. One is almost exact while another is very much an interpolation of the text.

Everyman is rather different from all the other Miracle plays. For starters, it is a morality play rather than a biblical one. Also, it is a lot longer than the other plays. Everyman is more about how the Christian lives their life and comes to judgment. This contrasts with the biblical stories of the other plays.

Conclusion

The Medieval miracle plays take us on a journey through the Christian Bible. In doing so they often take liberties and interpolate extra content into the narrative. They have a tendency to be written with current knowledge in mind rather than thinking about what the characters would have known. This leads to some odd statements about Christ before he is even born from characters such as Moses.

The Everyman play is different both in its content and its length. It deals with more of how Christians should live and how they receive salvation through the sacraments.

Have you read The Miracle Plays? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read The Miracle Plays but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

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