Ioanna A. Ramoutsaki

Therapeutic Methods Used for Otolaryngological Problems during the Byzantine Period

Evidence of herbal, animal, and chemical substances from the natural world used in medicines for otolaryngological problems, including opium, hyoscyamus, barley, honey, dried beans and peas, olives, fruits, Agaricus, castoreum, cassia, and afronitron, was traced in the Byzantine medical treatises, mainly from the 4th century ad to the 15th century ad. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios of Pergamos, Aetios of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paul Aeginitis, Leon Iatrosophistis, Theophanis Nonnos, Nickolaos Myrepsos, Michael Psellos, and others strongly suggest the influence of ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time stress original medical thought. The main otolaryngological problems encountered in that period were loss of hearing, purulent otitis, rupture of the tympanic membrane, pharyngitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, acute tonsillitis, seasickness, vertigo, fracture of the nose, and cancers of the ear, larynx, nose, and oral cavity. The tradition stating that remedies were the final products of substance combinations, started in the classical period (5th and 4th centuries bc), is presented clearly and in detail in Byzantine prescriptions related to otolaryngology.

Management of childhood diseases in the Byzantine period: I -- analgesia.

Evidence on the use of pain relievers for medical purposes in childhood was traced in medical treatises during Byzantine times(4th to 15th century ad). The texts of Aetius, Paulus Aeginitis, Orivasios and others strongly reveal influences fromancient Greek medicine. Greek physicians of the times, who helped the medical thinking of antiquity to stay alive, used opium withmandragoras, hyoscyamos and other sedative herbs to produce a kind of anesthetic state and to relieve pain. However, in children’scases they chose to selectively use substances in more standardized quantities, mainly in mixtures. Less aggressive methods such aswarm baths, or appropriate food were highly respected by them and recommended for the treatment of sick children.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: III − Respiratory diseases of childhood

Evidence on herbal, veterinary and chemical substances used in various forms for respiratory problems of childhood such as acute otitis, acute tonsillitis and parotitis was investigated in the Byzantine medical treatizes, from the 4th to the 15th century ad. The problem of asthma in childhood was well known during the Byzantine period. Despite the existent Hippocratic tradition, the physicians of the times developed their own methods of treatment. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios from Pergamos, Aetius of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paulus Aeginitis, Theophanis Nonnos and others, strongly suggest influences from ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time indicate an original medical thought.

ASPECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER DURING THE BYZANTINE PERIOD

The main trends in the diagnosis and management of childhood cancer during the Byzantine period (330-1453 CE) are investigated. Therapeutic modalities reflected the influences from Ancient Greek and Greco-Roman medicine. Medical treatment included a great variety of regimens, and surgery was not unknown. The attitudes toward cancer suggest that people of that time did not believe in a superstitious origin of the disease. Even though most of these remedies and many procedures are nowadays out of use, the physicians of the Byzantine period preserved the scientific medical thought of antiquity, improved it, and set the basis of current achievements. Medical terms introduced during the Byzantine period are still used. The texts have been studied in their original languages, that is, Ancient and Byzantine Greek, and Latin.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period : V - Hydrocephalus

Abstract Hydrocephalus was a recognizable medical problem during the Byzantine period. In the medical texts of the time it was attributed to the pressure that was applied on the newborns head during labour. The suggested treatments focused on the relief of the symptoms only and surgical methods were believed to be helpful in very rare cases.

Management of childhood diseases in the Byzantine period: II − Exanthematic diseases

The aim of this review was to explore the procedures used for the treatment of childhood exanthematic diseases during the Byzantineperiod. The most often reported ones were psoriasis, undefined rashes in parts of the body, ulcerous rashes, blisters, lichens and soakedulcers. The physicians of the period managed the above problems with appropriate diet and remedies of herbal, veterinary and chemicalorigin in the form of baths, poultices and concoctions. They largely based their principles on the ancient Greek medical tradition. Theiraccurate remarks were reflected in their terminology. Many of the terms of this period are still in use, although current treatmentmodalities are quite different from the Byzantine remedies.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: IV -- juvenile diabetes mellitus.

Although Byzantine physicians seemed to recognize the clinical entity and the symptoms of juvenile diabetes mellitus very well, they did not mention many details about the treatment of the disease. Most probably they treated the young patients in the same way as the adults. It is worth mentioning that diabetes was considered a difficult medical problem.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: VI - ocular diseases.

Abstract Ocular manifestations were recognizable and are reported in the Byzantine medical treatises from the 4th to the 15th century AD. Herbal, mineral and chemical substances in the form of collyria were used by the Byzantine physicians for the treatment of ocular abnormalities and ophthalmic diseases of the childhood. Surgical intervention was not recommended at this age.