Galen

Question 1

What were Galen’s key ideas?

Answer 1

• The brain controlled the body not the heart
• The heart ate the blood
• The Theory of Opposites

Question 2

What was the Theory of Opposites?

Answer 2

If the illness was caused by the cold, Galen would use the opposite to treat it (hot ingredients such as peppers and chillies in his remedies).

Question 3

What did Galen do?

Answer 3

1. Followed Hippocrates’ methods of clinical observation
2. Believed in the Theory of The Four Humours
3. Introduced the Theory of Opposites and claimed it all as his own work
4. He carried out dissections (especially on pigs) and wrote about them in his books

Question 4

Why were Galen’s ideas so successful?

Answer 4

During his life, Galen was the doctor of the Emperor so he was very famous and influential. After his death, during the Middle Ages, the Church was extremely powerful and influential and they believed in Galen’ works because it fitted with the Christian beliefs. Therefore, it was extremely hard to challenge Galen’s ideas.

Question 5

What were the long-term effects of Galen’s work?

Answer 5

1. He influenced all areas of medicine for over 1500 years

2. His ideas were taught to medical students, through the Church, for centuries.

Question 6

What were the disadvantages of Galen’s work being so influential?

Answer 6

It meant that, because medical students were taught his works and not encouraged to question or challenge them, his ideas prevented further experimentation and exploration into the world of medicine.

Question 7

How did Galen become so influential?

Answer 7

1. He started operating on wounds that gladiators received in combat
2. When he moved to Rome he was recruited as the Emperor’s doctor
3. Soon his medical ideas became the most important because of his position as the Emperor’s doctor.

Question 8

In what time period did Galen exist?

Answer 8

Ancient Rome.