Aulus Cornelius Celsus
You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.
Aulus Cornelius Celsus (25 BC—50) was a Roman encyclopedist and possibly, although probably not, a physician. He probably lived in Gallia Narbonensis. His only extant work, the De Medicina, is the only surviving section of a much larger encyclopedia, and is a primary source on diet, pharmacy and surgery and related fields. The lost portions of his encyclopedia likely included volumes on agriculture, law, rhetoric, and military arts. Celsus' De Medicina is one of the best sources on Alexandrian medical knowledge.
In the "Prooemium" or introduction to "De Medicina" there is an early discussion of the relevance of theory to medical practice and the pros and cons of both animal experimentation and human experimentation.
Celsus is credited with recording the cardinal signs of inflammation: calor (warmth), dolor (pain), tumor (swelling) and rubor (redness and hyperaemia). He goes into great detail regarding the preparation of numerous ancient medicinal remedies including the preparation of opioids. In addition, he describes many 1st‑century Roman surgical procedures which included removal of a cataract, treatment for bladder stones, and the setting of fractures.
The first printed edition of Celsus' work was published in 1478. His work became famous for its elegant Latin style.
Quotes
- "It is not cruel to inflict on a few criminals sufferings which may benefit multitudes of innocent people through all centuries." (De Medicina, Prooem. 26)
External links
- De Medicina at LacusCurtius (Latin original and English translation)
Anesthetic: Ancient anaesthesia | |
|---|---|
| Plants/animals | Aconite • Argyreia speciosa • Castoreum • Cannabis • Coca • Deadly nightshade • Henbane • Lactucarium • Mandrake • Metel nut • Opium • Poison hemlock • Saussurea • Toloatzin • Willow |
| People | Abulcasis • Avicenna • Celsus • Dioscorides • Galen • Hippocrates • Rhazes • Sabuncuoğlu • Susrutha • Theophrastus • Zhang |
| Molecules | Aconitine • Δ9-THC • Atropine • Cocaine • Coniine • Hyoscyamine • Morphine • Salicylate • Scopolamine |
cs:Aulus Cornelius Celsus de:Aulus Cornelius Celsusfr:Aulus Cornelius Celsus it:Aulo Cornelio Celso la:Aulus Cornelius Celsus hu:Aulus Cornelius Celsusfi:Aulus Cornelius Celsus sv:Aulus Cornelius Celsus
