Hippocrates

Who was Hippocrates?

Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician. He believed in observing a patient's symptoms, and treating them using natural treatments.

What were Hippocrates' ideas?

There are three main theories attributed to Hippocrates.

• ❖ Clinical observation, which says a doctor should examine and monitor a patient's symptoms to diagnose their illness. Treatments should be based on these observations.
• ❖ The Hippocratic Oath, which was taken by physicians. It was a promise to follow a set of ethical standards to treat their patients well and to cause no harm.
• ❖ The Theory of the Four Humours, which says that a person needed balanced humours in order to be healthy. People got diseases if they had too much or too little of any humour.