Galen

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

or CLAUDIUS GALENUS, a celebrated Greek physician; born in Pergamus, Mysia, in A. D. 131. In his 19th year he began the study of medicine, first at Pergamus, afterward at Smyrna, Corinth, and Alexandria. On his return to his native city in 158 he was appointed physician to the school of gladiators. Six years later he went to Rome and was offered, though he declined, the post of Scarcely, physician to the emperor. phys however, had he returned to his native city when summoned by the Emperors M. Aurelius and L. Verus to attend them in the Venetian territory, and shortly afterward he accompanied or followed them to Rome (170). There he remained several years. He attended M. Aurelius and his two sons, Commodus and Sextus, and about the end of the 2d century was employed by the Emperor Severus. Galen was a voluminous writer not only on medical, but also on philosophical subjects, such as logic, ethics, and grammar. The works that are still extant under his name consist of 83 treatises that are acknowledged to be genuine; 19 whose genuineness has been questioned; 45 undoubtedly spurious; 19 fragments; and 15 commentaries on different works of Hippocrates. His most important anatomical and physiological works are: "Of Anatomical Administrations" and "Of the Use of the Parts of the Human Body." As an anatomist, he combined with patient skill and sober observation as a practical dissecter of lower animals, not of the human body-accuracy of description and clearness of exposition as a writer. He is said to have died in Sicily, about A. D. 201.