How is He Remembered?
To this day Hippocrates is remembered as the "father of medicine" for his work in making the doctor a separate profession from that of a priest or a philosopher. He is also remembered for his work in creating medical discoveries that would help us directly as well as practices that could be build off of and help us indirectly.
The Father of Medicine
Today Hippocrates holds the title of the father of medicine. He holds this title because of the fact that he was the first to separate medicine from religion and superstition. This title can help the modern person look at Hippocrates for how different his thinking and values were from the average Greek citizen during the classical age. Hippocrates values were unique because he was the first person to value medicine as a science and not a religion. The average Greek citizen before he influenced them saw it as a religion as we can see in the fact that Hippocrates was educated in medicine in a temple.
The Hippocratic Oath
The Hippocratic Oath is another enduring legacy of Hippocrates. It is found in the Hippocratic Corpus a book put together at his school that may(but according to newer evidence it probably wasn't) have been written by him. Whether the oath was actually written by him or not it definately expresses the ideals that were taught to future physicians at his school. To this day this oath is said by almost all future doctors. When they graduate medical school. Though it may be expressed in different words Hippocrates ideals, like doing no harm, must still be aided by by all doctors. It can be seen being recited below.
Enduring Discoveries
Hippocrates made many discoveries during his time as a physician that are still relevant today.
- He discovered that chewing willow leaves relieved pain this would later lead to the discovery of aspirin.
- He developed ways of resetting and splinting broken bones that are still used today.
- He was the first to describe the clubbing of the fingers that is a sign of several lung and heart diseases and is commonly called Hippocratic fingers
- He was one of the first to propose moderation in food and drink as the best way to keep healthy. This reflects the general view of classical Greece that moderation is always the best answer as we can also see in Plato and Aristotle with his "golden mean".
Serene Doctor
To this day Hippocrates is seen as the ideal doctor who cares about his patients, is wise, and removed from the other temptations to do wrong in life. This can be seen from the many busts and portraits that all show him this way.