Source edition
Hippocrates. Oeuvres complètes d'Hippocrate, Vol. 3. Littré, Émile, editor. Paris: Baillière, 1841
Source data
A Digital Corpus for Graeco-Arabic Studies · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a highly detailed medical treatise systematically discussing the diagnosis and treatment of head injuries in ancient Greek medicine. It begins with an explanation of the anatomical features of the skull, such as the shape of sutures and the varying vulnerability of different cranial regions. The text then classifies head fractures into several distinct types, including fissures and depressions, emphasizing the importance of careful physical examination and patient interviews to detect invisible damage. In the latter half, practical therapeutic methods are detailed, including wound incision, the diagnostic staining of micro-fissures, and the specific procedures and precautions for trepanation (cranial drilling). Finally, it addresses the unique risks associated with children and the management of fatal complications resulting from delayed treatment, providing a practical guide for ancient surgeons.