Open Access

Paediatric Virology in the Hippocratic Corpus (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Ioannis N. Mammas
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
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  • Published online on: June 3, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.3420
  • Pages: 541-549
  • Copyright: © Mammas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Hippocrates (Island of Kos, 460 B.C.‑Larissa, 370 B.C.) is the founder of the most famous Medical School of the classical antiquity. In acknowledgement of his pioneering contribution to the new scientific field of Paediatric Virology, this article provides a systematic analysis of the Hippocratic Corpus, with particular focus on viral infections predominating in neonates and children. A mumps epidemic, affecting the island of Thasos in the 5th century B.C., is described in detail. ‘Herpes’, a medical term derived from the ancient Greek word ‘ἕρπειν’, meaning ‘to creep’ or ‘crawl’, is used to describe the spreading of cutaneous lesions in both childhood and adulthood. Cases of children with exanthema ‘resembling mosquito bites’ are presented in reference to varicella or smallpox infection. A variety of upper and lower respiratory tract viral infections are described with impressive accuracy, including rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, bronchiolitis and bronchitis. The ‘cough of Perinthos’ epidemic, an influenza‑like outbreak in the 5th century B.C., is also recorded and several cases complicated with pneumonia or fatal outcomes are discussed. Hippocrates, moreover, describes conjunctivitis, otitis, lymphadenitis, meningoencephalitis, febrile convulsions, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, poliomyelitis and skin warts, along with proposed treatment directions. Almost 2,400 years later, Hippocrates' systematic approach and methodical innovations can inspire paediatric trainees and future Paediatric Virology subspecialists.
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August-2016
Volume 12 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Mammas IN and Spandidos DA: Paediatric Virology in the Hippocratic Corpus (Review). Exp Ther Med 12: 541-549, 2016.
APA
Mammas, I.N., & Spandidos, D.A. (2016). Paediatric Virology in the Hippocratic Corpus (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 12, 541-549. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.3420
MLA
Mammas, I. N., Spandidos, D. A."Paediatric Virology in the Hippocratic Corpus (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 12.2 (2016): 541-549.
Chicago
Mammas, I. N., Spandidos, D. A."Paediatric Virology in the Hippocratic Corpus (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 12, no. 2 (2016): 541-549. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2016.3420