Praxagoras of Cos on Arteries, Pulse and Pneuma. Review

Authors

  • Eugene V. Afonasin1 Tomsk State University; Institute of philosophy and law SB RAS Author
  • Anna S. Afonasina Novosibirsk State University Author

Abstract

 The  theories  of  Praxagoras  of  Cos  (ca.  300 BCE)  and  his  followers  constitute  an  important landmark  in  the  history  of  ancient  medical knowledge. The principal ancient evidences about Praxagoras and his school are preserved in Galen,Caelius  Aurelianus,  the  so-called Anonymous of  Paris and  other  later  writers.  We  know  that Praxagoras  distinguished  himself  in  all  major branches of the tekhne, related to the Hippocratic tradition  in  medicine,  such  as  anatomy,physiology,  sphygmology,  dietetics,  therapeutic methods and so on. Besides, he is also noted for the theoretical speculations associated with these practical aspects, which places him in the context of  ancient  philosophy  of  nature,  mostly  this of  the  Peripatetic  school.  Such  peculiarities  of Praxagoras’ teaching as his idea that arteries beat by  themselves  and  are  filled  with  pneuma,  that the soul is seated in the heart, etc. as well as his daring methods of therapy which allowed Caelius Aurelianus, in many years, to call him a reckless (protervus) surgeon, are especially intriguing and call for explanation and contextualization.

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References

Supported by the program of improvement of the competitiveness of Tomsk State University.

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Afonasin E.V., Afonasina A.S. Praksagor i ego shkola [Praxagoras and his theories]. Ocherki istorii antichnoy meditsiny [Essays on history of ancient medicine]. Saint-Petersburg, 2017. P. 87–107.

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Published

2017-08-31

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Articles

How to Cite

V. Afonasin1, E., & S. Afonasina , A. (2017). Praxagoras of Cos on Arteries, Pulse and Pneuma. Review. History of Medicine, 4(4). https://historymedjournal.com/HOM/index.php/medicine/article/view/190