Nursing History and Ancient Greek Healthcare

Why Study Nursing History?

Studying nursing history provides:

• Knowledge of the profession's seniority
• Professional group identity
• Understanding the profession's evolution
• Appreciation of the profession's progress and advances

The nursing profession has undergone profound changes in the last century, evolving from an occupation without formal qualification to a university career.

Knowledge of the profession's history helps understand the developmental stages of nursing awareness and its current state.

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in studies and publications on nursing history, filling a gap that other disciplines began to address long ago.

Healthcare in Ancient Greece

The ancient Greeks had gods of the earth and underworld, considered special healing agents, like snakes and moles.

Apollo, god of the sun, was also the god of health and medicine.

Asclepius, son of Apollo, was the principal human healer.

Among his 6 daughters were: Hygeia (goddess of health), Panacea (goddess of restorative health), and Meditrina (goddess of conservative health).

Health centers existed in temples frequented by the sick and healthy, who enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the environment.

Two care institutions for the sick were the xenodochium and the iatrion.

The xenodochium, similar to the Hebrew model, provided care to travelers, the sick, and the wounded under municipal administration, a possible precursor to the modern district hospital.

The iatrion was an establishment where outpatient care was dispensed, similar to the current clinic or doctor's office.

The cult of Asclepius provided healing with a religious character, offering a mix of natural and supernatural remedies.

With the 'birth of reason,' attempts were made to provide natural explanations for phenomena (classical philosophy of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle). Truth was sought through clear thinking and careful observation of physical and social phenomena (science).

The institution of rational or scientific medicine is attributed to Hippocrates of Cos (460-370 BC), recognized as the 'Father of Medicine'.

Hippocrates maintained that disease was not the work of spirits, demons, or gods, but the consequence of breaking natural laws. The true art of the physician was to assist nature in providing a remedy.

In the Corpus Hippocraticum, he describes almost all aspects of medicine, including the importance of hygiene.

Treatment was associated with the four basic elements: fire, air, earth, and water.

The Hippocratic method was based on four principles: observe everything, study the patient more than the disease, make an impartial assessment, and help nature.

These four principles were combined with professionalism and ethical conduct.