( -380 BC)
Founded a medical school on the Greek island of Kos
Inspired the 'Hippocratic Collection'
Developed the 'Hippocratic Oath'

Many of the works attributed to him in the 'Hippocratic Collection' were not actually written by him.
Some believe he did not write any of them and that these were simply stored in his library.
Though he separated his practices from superstition, his 'Hippocratic Oath' requires a physician to swear to various Greek gods.
Modern physicians are sometimes called on to take the 'Hippocratic Oath' even though its several hundreds of centuries antiquated.
He thought epilepsy was a seasonal disease caused by insufficient air.
He was pro-life.
He was opposed to euthanasia.
Not much is known about his personal life.

He dismissed superstitions which held that spirits or magic could cause or cure illnesses.
Instead, he urged physicians to write down the symptoms of an illness and try to predict the course of it.
Though some of his theories on diseases are wrong, many of them are surprisingly insightful and ahead of their time.
He described the symptoms of pneumonia, tetanus, tuberculosis, arthritis, mumps, hemorrhoids, epilepsy and malaria.
He observed the formation of the human fetus.
He urged that his patients exercise and maintain a healthy diet.
He urged that physicians wash their hands and keep their operating room well-lighted.
Though he might not have written the 'Hippocratic Collection' he probably taught the people who did.
He is credited with creating the empirical science of medicine.
He is considered the father of medicine.

Credit: Captain Howdy

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