The speculations in medicine take two different roots. Modern Medicine emerged from the anatomical, physiological, pathological study which specialized with germ theory and surgery. On the other hand study of body, mind and soul had taken another origin in which today's alternative complementary systems speculated their inspirations.

    After Hippocrates, Galen's contributions on Animal dissection, Andreas Vesalius achievements in anatomy and William Harvey contribution on physiology are great developmental stone in medicine.

C 130-C200 Animal Dissection

    Claudius Galen was physician who extended knowledge on anatomy by “Animal Dissection” Taking Hippocrates' notions of the humors and pathology, Galen incorporated the anatomical knowledge. Galen performed extensive dissections and vivisections on animals like pigs, barbary apes, and dogs. He dissected pigs and apes for studying their bone structure and muscles. Galen was also interested in human anatomy but there is no evidence that he dissected human bodies.

    He studied the muscles, spinal cord, heart, urinary system, and proved that the arteries are full of blood. He believed that blood originated in the liver, and sloshed back and forth through the body, passing through the heart, where it was mixed with air, by pores in the septum.

    Galen also introduced the spirit system, consisting of natural spirit or "pneuma" (air he thought was found in the veins), vital spirit (blood mixed with air he believed to found in the arteries), and animal spirit (which he believed to be found in the nervous system).Galen put forward the theory that illness was caused by an imbalance of the four humours: blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile. He recommended specific diets to help in the "cleansing of the putrefied juices" and often purging and bloodletting would be used. With the use of experiment Galen showed that the arteries carried blood and not air as was commonly believed. He also understood the value of the pulse in diagnosis.

    Galen believed everything in nature has a purpose, and that nature uses a single object for more than one purpose whenever possible. He maintained that "the best doctor is also a philosopher," and so advocated that medical students be well-versed in philosophy, logic, physics, and ethics. Galen, even revived the methods favoured by Hippocrates and other Greek doctors who lived at the time of Hippocrates. He put great emphasis on clinical observation, examining a patient very thoroughly and noting their symptoms. Galen also accepted the view that disease was the result of an imbalance between blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile.

    Galen's influence can be still seen today. The word " galenic" is used to describe drugs and medicines made from vegetable and animal ingredients using prescribed methods, and his work "On the Natural Faculties" remained the authority on medicine until Vesalius in the sixteenth century.

Claudius Galen     Galen was born in 131 AD. He was a gifted intellect who studied at the famous medical school in Alexandria in Egypt. At the age of 28, Galen became the surgeon to a school of gladiators but in 161 AD he moved to Rome apparently with the sole intention of seeking fame and fortune. He certainly achieved his fame but for some Romans this became too much. As a Greek, many Romans viewed Galen with suspicion and in 166 AD, he was forced to flee the city. Two years later he went back to the city in response to an invitation by the emperor. With this protection, Galen remained in the city until his death, aged about 70, in 201 AD.