Ancient Medicine Article Review Sample

The scholarship “Asklepios and His Colleagues: Doctors and Divine Healers” by Bronwen Wickkiser offers insightful information regarding the origins of medicine and medicine practices. The literature links the medicine to Greek mythology and divinity history which is captured in various historical documents, anecdotes and Iliads by the Greek. Of particular interest in this scholarship is Asklepios, who is dubbed as the patron of the medical profession. Asklepios is depicted as the only Greek god that employed medical procedures as well as his divine powers in attending to his human patients. He is said to have acquired these attributes from his father, Apollo, who was also a god and a divine healer. Asklepios thus in this literature is illustrated as not only the founder of medicine but also the source of the ethical premise that which this discipline is based on as shown by The Hippocratic Oath. Doctors use The Hippocratic Oath, written by Hippocrates to date in carrying out their responsibilities in a reputable manner. Hippocrates was too in the medical profession and is said to be Asklepios descendant, as well as a keen admirer of his teachings captured in the iamata of Asklepios.
In order to fully connect the two literal pieces, it is prudent to focus at Asklepios as the patron of the medical profession. In the scholarship, the doctors of the ancient Greek are perceived to this fact as hey undertook their responsibilities. For instance, Eryximachos, a physician, in Plato’s Symposium declared that Asklepios was indeed the patron god who established the profession. With such proclamations, it was evident that Asklepios that this notion had gained much prominence as early as the fifteenth century. This fact is further supported by the contents of The Hippocratic Oath. The oath offers an allegiance to Apollo, Asklepios and Hygeia (Health). It recognizes Asklepios as not only as part of the divinity but as a master of the medical craft.
The ethical foundations and commitment levels expected of the doctors as stated in The Hippocratic Oath are also illuminated in Asklepios conduct in his endeavors as a doctor. The ethics are observed in the diligence Asklepios had in his training to be a doctor that he practiced after gaining the necessary expertise and experience. He took time to understand the craft of prescribing medicine, performing of surgery, removal and reattachment of body parts. The commitment in healing the sick is observed in his use of a walking staff that also later on became a symbol of mobility for many doctors in the ancient Greek. Asklepios traveled across various locations to meet and treat patients. Asklepios further handed down his teachings to other apprentices who took after him which helped the profession grow and become a necessary tool to man’s survival. This directly links him to the assertions by The Hippocratic Oath that demands a doctor should teach the art of medicine to those who desire to learn it. Asklepios is said to have not to avoided intricate medical cases. He was particularly instrumental in the treatment of chronic illnesses. He used the best of his power as captured in The Hippocratic Oath to help the sick .
In this respect, it is evident that Asklepios is indeed the patron of medicine as we know it. His work ethic, commitment and improvisations in both the use of tools and medical procedures are part of what has influenced many doctors’ work to date. Despite the historical documents being subject to alterations and exaggeration, there is a synonymous agreement that show that Asklepios was indeed a professional doctor. Additionally, he espoused the ideals of a professional medical practitioner as provided in The Hippocratic Oath that is alluded to much of his conduct and attributes as both as a divine healer and a doctor.