ABSTRACT
Hernia was a common problem in Hellenic antiquity as we may infer by a plethora of references in ancient Greek and especially in Byzantine medical literature. However, in ancient Greek art there discovered only two examples representing this rather common surgical entity. Hernia is depicted in two Hellenistic terracotta figurines, one male and one female. They were part of a course in an ancient school or votive offerings in a sacred ancient temple. Although surgery was an existent medical branch at the era, it seems that only a radical ablation, probably fatal, was performed by medico-philosophers and surgeons.
Keywords: hernia, ancient Hellenic art, ancient Greek medicine, Smyrna.
Full text sources https://doi.org/10.31688/ABMU.2019.54.1.25 How to Cite Email to Author
Address for correspondence:
Gregory TSOUCALAS
History of Medicine, Anatomy Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece Address: Ierolohiton 155, Agioi Anargyroi 38334, Volos, Greece Phone 00306945298205; email: gregorytsoucalas@yahoo.gr
