Serious head injuries and how to diagnose them; On Injuries of the Head, Hippocrates

 Why you might read On Injuries of the Head?

On Injuries of the Head, covers in detail serious head wounds. As such it gives great insight into how head injuries were treated in Hippocrates time. It is interesting to see how much they are willing to be invasive when they can only see with their eyes.

In my Self Education project, the Hippocratic corpus is of great import. It is the first real medicine books and gives a great foundation for medicine and the life sciences in books to come.

Content of On Injuries of the Head

On Injuries of the Head goes through the types of head wounds. It covers from the simplest head wounds in which little is to be done. All the way to serious head injuries that are likely to result in death. Hippocrates spends time explaining how to examine head wounds. This includes the idea that you may have to cut the wound further open to see the bone and what damage has been done to it. He recommends not cutting the bone immediately but waiting to see if it comes out on its own or starts healing. If neither of these things happens then you should cut the bone most of the way through and let it fall the rest of the way. This is done so as not to damage the membrane of the brain.   

Reflections on On Injuries of the Head

Hippocrates never moralises about the cause of the injury. He does however say that the injuries could be deliberately inflicted. He treats violence the same as an accident as information to know about the wound and nothing else.

There is also an interesting section where in order to see the bone fracture Hippocrates adds a dye pack for a day and then scrapes the bone. This would leave only dye in the cracks of the fracture.

What others have to say about On Injuries of the Head

"Hippocrates' treatise On Wounds in the Head represents an excellent source of information regarding the extent of experience with head injuries in classical antiquity" From the National Library of Medicine

"On the basis of clinical observation, the great physician gives an accurate description of the external appearance and consistency of the cranium." From Hippocrates: A Pioneer in the Treatment of Head Injuries

Comparisons with other texts

Like On Hemorrhoids, this text is focused on the treatment of a specific injury. Unlike hemorrhoids this text is more life and death. The head injuries turn deadly a lot easier than the unpleasant but more survivable hemorrhoids.

In some ways, it is the opposite to On the Surgery. On the surgery mainly deals with the bandaging of wounds. Whereas it is left out of this text. Instead On Injuries of the Head is all about surgery.

Conclusion

On Injuries of the Head is a compact work detailing serious injuries of the head. It mainly focuses on those that imprint or otherwise damage the bone. It does not cover things we also look at now like a concussion. Hippocrates in most cases suggests finding out what you can and then giving the wound some time. He does cover what to do if healing does not come. This work follows the general ethos of the Hippocratic Corpus and is very detail-oriented.

Have you read On Injuries of the Head? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read On Injuries of the Head 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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Commentary on Fame; The House of Fame, Geoffroy Chaucer

 Why you might read The House of Fame?

Chaucer is seen as the father of modern literature. While the Canterbury Tales are more famous going back to the start of a career has its advantages. As we move through his works we have the chance to see how he grows as a writer and how his approach changes over time. 

In my Self Education project, this fills the role of getting a rounded view of Chaucer. Rather than just focusing on the Canterbury Tale I like to take Authors as a whole.

The Story of The House of Fame

The House of Fame is written in three parts. The third part is incomplete. It starts with a discussion on the quality of dreams and general theory on how they come about. Then there is an invocation to the god of dreams. Starting with an invocation is repeated in the following two parts, though to different gods.

Part one then goes into a dream. Here the narrator spends time in a temple to Venus Vulcan and Cupid. In that temple, he finds a brass tablet of the Aeneid. He then goes on to recount that story. He then prays for a vision and an eagle appears.

Part two starts with an invocation and then moves on to a dream. Here the eagle takes him up in his claws and flies off with him. He passes out and is revived by the eagle talking to him. The eagle explains how sound breaks the air and thus rises. The eagle then takes him to the House of Fame in the sky. 

Part three, after the invocation, has them arriving at the House of Fame. Here the Narrator meets the goddess of fame. He watches as groups of people approach fame and she gives fame to some and not to others. From there he moves on to an unnamed place where he finds a large crowd telling rumours and truths. The crowd falls silent when a man enters. Here is where the text ends.

Reflections on The House of Fame

The House of Fame is interestingly not about the titular House until the third part. Even then it drifts off into other areas as well. The idea that fame is sought by many but given to few who ask for it speaks through time to how fleeting fame can be. As well as how fickle who gets famous can be.

Religiously it is interesting that Chaucer focuses on the Roman gods. That being said he also references specific saints one many occasions. I found this a little jarring as they do not belong in the same belief system. It shows that there was some religious blending in Chaucer's time.

It is unclear to me why the dream is presented in three parts being that they are all part of the same dream. And that they almost don't finish but blend into the following part.

What others have to say about The House of Fame

"The House of Fame is among the best known and relished of Chaucer's minor poems." From Every poet

Comparisons with other texts

The topic is quite different from the Book of Duchess. Here Chaucer is making social commentary on Fame. By contrast, the Book of Duchess is an exploration of the pain of losing someone. The House of Fame is also a much longer poem. It is approximately twice the length of The Book of Duchess.

It is of a similar age and English as the Medieval Miracle Plays. Unlike the plays, it is not for the common people in the town square. Instead, it is written to be read and thus more aimed at the educated.

Conclusion

The House of Fame is a poem in three parts. It takes until the third part for the House to actually be introduced. I am unsure why it is split into parts as they are all parts of the same dream.  It is longer than our first foray into Chaucer's work. It is written as a commentary on Fame, its fickleness and its randomness.

Have you read The House of Fame? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read The House of Fame 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 House of Fame.

Basic treatments for Hemorrhoids; On Hemorrhoids, Hippocrates

 Why you might read on Hemorrhoids?

If you have an interest in how hemorrhoids are treated this might be of interest. This work gives you insight into how treatment was done originally. It may also make you thankful for modern anesthtics.

In my Self Education project, this is a work that, while informative, is mainly there to round out the corpus.

Content of on Hemorrhoids

On Hemorrhoids is a quick text that covers a few ways to treat Hemorrhoids. The main one being to get pieces of iron made to shape. Then to heat them and burn out the Hemorrhoids. The others are just variations on the theme. He also covers condyloma as a subset of hemorrhoids. The removal of these seems to be far easier with them just being carefully pulled off rather than burnt. He covers how to treat the wounds after bleeding as well. This differs depending on the original method. 

Reflections on Hemorrhoids

Hippocrates idea of how the hemorrhoids form is quite interesting. He states that it is a build-up of bile and phlegm in the rectum that leads to these bleeding growths.

The fact that he gives multiple ways to treat is also quite interesting. He normally is about the best way and presenting that way only.

What others have to say about on Hemorrhoids

From The American Journal of Surgery"These procedures have been carried through the ages with only minor alterations or variations but are the basis for all operations for hemorrhoids in use today."

"The Hippocratic author mentions several possible ways of treating haemorrhoids. Some of these are rather invasive" From The recipes project

Comparisons with other texts

Unlike on The Surgery, this work covers what you would expect. It is a work based solely on its title.

 A bit like The heart, it is focused on the anatomy of the area in question. But unlike The heart, on Hemorrhoids is focused primarily on treatment.

Conclusion

On Hemorrhoids is a simple text that deals with how to treat hemorrhoids. It gives various methods, which is unusual for Hippocrates. Methods today are based upon the same basic principles which are just as invasive. 

Have you read On Hemorrhoids? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read On Hemorrhoids 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 On Hemorrhoids.

It's actually more about bandaging; On the Surgery, Hippocrates

 Why you might read On the Surgery?

On the Surgery is a great recap into how to bandage wounds. Unlike its title, this is the main thrust of the work.

In my Self Education project, this fills a completion role. That is to say that its main value is in being part of the wider corpus and a wider understanding.

Content of On the Surgery

On the surgery starts with a discussion of how the surgeon should sit or stand when performing surgery. From there it diverges into discussions on how things should be bandaged. He covers this both in general in then in specific cases. He states that the bandage must always be tight by the amount they are wound around not by pressure.

Reflection on On the Surgery

This text has very little new information, most of it has been covered in other texts.

That being said the directions for how the surgeon must sit or stand are fascinating. They are mainly about how to steady their hands. Whether this is by resting the elbows on the raised knees or by resting the elbows on the sides of the torso. 

What others have to say about On the Surgery

The internet is rather silent on this work. I wonder if that is going to become more common as I work into the more obscure Hippocratic texts.

Comparisons with other texts

The big comparison here is with Fractures. Both texts deal with, as a secondary thing, the binding of wounds. Both texts give the same basic instructions for bandaging. On the Surgery gives more detail in some areas. One of these is when binding something that might slip like a knee.

Conclusion

On the Surgery is mainly a text about Bandaging wound despite its name. It does go into some discussion about how any surgery is to be done at the start, but quickly branches away from that. We have seen a lot of this material in the work Fractures, though this does give us more detail in places.

Have you read On the Surgery? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read On the Surgery 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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Anatomy of the Heart; The heart, Hippocrates

Why you might read The Heart?

The heart is a quick read. It gives us an idea of how the heart was understood in early medicine. As well as giving a basic anatomical description.

For my Self Education project, it mainly is a text that is about having an understanding of the whole corpus of Hippocrates. It gives insight, also, into how anatomical deductions were made at the time.

Content of The Heart

The Heart is a short text on exactly that the Heart. Hippocrates focuses mainly on the physical structure of the heart. He correctly ascertains that there are two main chambers but fails to notice the divisions of those chambers. He does notice the valves of the heart though he incorrectly determines their uses. He does not posit that the heart is for pumping blood, but does come to the conclusion that it is like bellows.

Reflections on The Heart

Hippocrates assumptions around the function of the heart are quite interesting. He thinks it is a hot organ next to the cold lungs. We now know body temperature to be a lot more consistent than that. He rightly points out that without the valves of the heart open no blood would flow. He states that is removing a heart from a cadaver you will find blood on the right side but no the left. He uses this to state that it is just this side that the blood moves through. this is incorrect but it is easy to see how he got to this.


What others have to say about The Heart

"Hippocrates’ writings on the heart contain some of the best clinical descriptions recorded in history" From a paper by Tsung O. Cheng

Comparisons with other texts

This work had a great deal of similarity to The Nature of Man. Both this and the Nature of Man cover the physical reality of medicine. As well as descriptions of the physical parts. The heart is just a description of the physical heart. Whereas the Nature of Man covers most of the body in less detail.

It is less detailed than The Nature of the Child. This is due to the more focused topic. As well as the lack of need for the development stages that we see in the Nature of the Child.

Conclusion

The Heart is a simple description of the heart and its function. Though Hippocrates does make some incorrect deductions it is still very informative. We have seen that Hippocrates was the closest to what we know now that is seen up to his time in history. As well as how this text is similar to the two works that are about the Nature of Man and of the Child.

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

 
Want to read The Heart 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 Heart.

Big life changes and small blog changes

Exciting news! We are expecting a little boy in a couple of months. We are super excited and super pleased. But there is no way I can post weekly with a newborn. So I will finish this month with weekly posts. Then I will be moving to one post a month for the foreseeable future. I don't want to go on yet another hiatus so this is a preventative measure. If I find that I get a long way ahead I may put up bonus posts but I don't want to commit to a high workload.

A story of a lost love; The Book of Duchess, Geoffrey Chaucer

 Why might you read The Book of Duchess?

The Book of Duchess is Chaucer's first poem as such it gives us insight into the early works of Chaucer. Chaucer is seen as the father of modern literature. While the Canterbury Tales are more famous going back to the start of a career has its advantages. As we move through his works we have the chance to see how he grows as a writer and how his approach changes over time. 

In my Self Education project, it would be remiss to miss out on Chaucer. Especially with how much his work informs later works.

The story of The Book of Duchess

The Poem starts with the narrator lamenting that he can't sleep. So he reads a book with the story of Ceyx and Alcyone. Where he dies at sea and she after looking for him prays to Juno. Juno then sends Morpheus to go and find him. He brings him back from his death at sea. His wife then gets to bury him.

The narrator then falls asleep. He dreams of a hunt and quickly follows it. Once out in the forest, he finds a black knight. The night is composing poetry to his love. The narrator tries to console him for he is distraught. In doing so he references Troy and other love stories of the greek world where the love is not returned. The knight tells him that these pale in comparison. He goes on to use an analogy of a chess match in which he loses his Queen. The narrator does not grasp that the knight's love is dead. The narrator proceeds to ask where his love is and the Knight answers plainly that she is dead. The narrator laments with him. The narrator then wakes.

Reflections on The Book of Duchess

Middle English is hard work. I found that by the end of reading it I had a grasp of the parts of the story but no idea how they fitted together. A little internet research fixed this but it is the first time I have had to have any kind of reading aid. In saying that this is the first non translated work so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.

That the narrator references other classical sources is quite interesting. It made me glad I have read so much in my BC list so far. He uses both Greek and Biblical references. He does so in passing which means he must assume the reader knows these works.

The two parts of the poem are interesting because while they have a similar theme they do not have a lot else in common. They contrast each other in terms of simplicity. With the retold story being simple and the main story being rather complex.

What others have to say about The Book of Duchess

"composed c. 1370 CE in honor of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster (l. 1342-1368 CE), wife of John of Gaunt (l. 1340-1399 CE), Duke of Lancaster and Chaucer's best friend." From ancient.ed

"But it’s a dream after all, a sequence of allusions, and perhaps the real message lies in a series of hints that Chaucer drops" From eleusinianm

Comparisons with other texts

Like the Medieval Miracle Plays, the English is archaic. By contrast, though the plays use much simpler language. Some of this can be put down to the difference in style, being plays instead of poetry. Also, it can be put down to the audience, the plays are for the common people where as Chaucer is writing for Nobility.

The portrayal of the knight is quite different from what we see of our protagonists in the Volsung Saga. The knight is not heroic or dashing, doing great dead. Instead, he is retiring and feeling a great loss.

Conclusion

The play covers both the story of Ceyx and Alcyone and the lamenting of the black knight for his lost love. The archaic language it is written in is a challenge to read but still rewarding. Chaucer wrote it for a friend who was grieving a dead wife. It is the first of its kind I have read but it still has links to older texts. These links are seen both in the text as well as in the comparisons we have seen to texts that are in someways contemporary at least in my list.

Have you read The Book of Duchess? If so what did you think of it? 

 
Want to read The Book of Duchess 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 Book of Duchess.