Galen

(130-200), Roman physician of the second century A.D. (Byers, 1998; Thackery & Harris, 2003).  Galen was a firm believer in the four humours theory of disease causation of Hippocrates (Albrecht, 2006; Burns, 2001; Colp, 2000; Hills, 1901; Kelly, 2009a; Kelly, 2009b; Keyser & Irby-Massey, 2008; Merenda, 1987; Moulton, 1998; Skultans, 1987; Tuke, 1892; White, 2006), but applied the theory less strictly than previous authors (Stone, 2006). For example an excess of yellow bile was responsible for both mania and phrenitis (Stone, 2006). Whereas Hippocrates had stated that for good health to follow, the humours had to be in balance throughout the body, Galen argues that this balance was only necessary in each organ (Kelly, 2009b). This implied that remedies specific to each organ of the body were possible. He also believed that mental disturbances could sometimes be caused by accidents (such as a blow to the head), sometimes by brain fevers, and sometimes by hereditary flaws (which might produce retardation). He viewed hysteria not as a result of a wandering womb, but due to toxic vapours that formed in the uterus because of insufficient sexual intercourse (Albrecht, 2006; Millon, 2004). Galen also used the term “alienation” for any behaviours that deviated from social norms, particularly if that behaviour was bizarre (Stone, 2006). This term was to remain current until the 19^th century, along with the related term “alienist” for any doctor who treated mental disturbance (Stone, 2006).

Galen

References:

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Keyser, P.T., & Irby-Massey, G.L. (2008). The encyclopedia of ancient natural scientists: the Greek tradition and its many heirs. New York, NY: Routledge.

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Skultans, V (1987). Insanity: history. Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/topic/insanity-history

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