Aeschrion of Pergamon
Encyclopedia
Aeschrion of Pergamon
was a physician
in the 2nd century AD. He was one of Galen
's tutors, who says that he belonged to the sect of the Empirici
, and that he had a great knowledge of pharmacy
and materia medica
. Aeschrion was the inventor of a celebrated superstitious remedy for the bite of a mad dog, which is mentioned with approbation by Galen and Oribasius
, and of which the most important ingredient was powdered crawfish. These he directs to be caught at a time when the sun and moon were in a particular relative position, and to be baked alive.
Pergamon
Pergamon , or Pergamum, was an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey, in Mysia, today located from the Aegean Sea on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus , that became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period, under the Attalid dynasty, 281–133 BC...
was a physician
Medicine in Ancient Greece
The first known Greek medical school opened in Cnidus in 700 BC. Alcmaeon, author of the first anatomical work, worked at this school, and it was here that the practice of observing patients was established. Ancient Greek medicine revolved around the theory of humours...
in the 2nd century AD. He was one of Galen
Galen
Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus , better known as Galen of Pergamon , was a prominent Roman physician, surgeon and philosopher...
's tutors, who says that he belonged to the sect of the Empirici
Empiric school
The Empiric school of medicine was an ancient school of medicine in ancient Greece and Rome. They were so called from the word empeiria because they professed to derive their knowledge from experiences only, and in doing so set themselves in opposition to the Dogmatic school...
, and that he had a great knowledge of pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
and materia medica
Materia medica
Materia medica is a Latin medical term for the body of collected knowledge about the therapeutic properties of any substance used for healing . The term 'materia medica' derived from the title of a work by the Ancient Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides in the 1st century AD, De materia medica libre...
. Aeschrion was the inventor of a celebrated superstitious remedy for the bite of a mad dog, which is mentioned with approbation by Galen and Oribasius
Oribasius
Oribasius or Oreibasius was a Greek medical writer and the personal physician of the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate. He studied at Alexandria under physician Zeno of Cyprus before joining Julian's retinue. He was involved in Julian's coronation in 361, and remained with the emperor until...
, and of which the most important ingredient was powdered crawfish. These he directs to be caught at a time when the sun and moon were in a particular relative position, and to be baked alive.