Clinical Experience in Late Antiquity: Alexander of Tralles and the Therapy of Epilepsy

Abstract

Alexander of Tralles, writing in the late sixth century, combined his wide-ranging practical knowledge with earlier medical theories. This article shows how clinical experience is used in Alexander's works by concentrating on his therapeutic advice on epilepsy and, in particular, on pharmacology and the group of so-called natural remedies. I argue that clinical testing is used not only for the introduction of new medicines but also as an instrument for checking the therapeutic effect of popular healing practices. On another level, this article discusses Alexander's role as the author of a medical compendium; it suggests that by marking the cases of clinical testing with a set of recurrent expressions, Alexander leads his audience to reflect on his medical authority and personal contribution.

On the Work of Alexander of Tralles

“…On the Taxonomy Alexander of Tralles uses the Hippocratic classification 6 of the worms dividing them into "Ascaris", roundworms and flatworms. He states that thin and small worms are generated in the last part of the large intestine, while roundworms are found in the upper part of the intestine, so they can reach the stomach and they can be vomited out.…”

“…He also described cases of helminthiasis and the therapeutic approaches mainly using seseli (according to Trompoukis et al parsley) and garlic because anthelmintic drugs were not evolved at that time. 5,6 He maintained that worms were present in one's body while still in the womb and believed that they did not cause serious illness and could remain in the host until his death. 7 Galen also classified three different types of worms and proposed treating them with mint, cardamom, and myrrh.…”

15 Case Histories in Late Byzantium: Reading the Patient in John Zacharias Aktouarios’ On Urines

“…For example, see Alexander of Tralles, Therapeutics 1.15 (Puschmann 1,551,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). See also my discussion on Alexander of Tralles' self-promotion strategy in his works, Bouras-Vallianatos, P. (2014). 'Clinical experience in late antiquity: Alexander of Tralles and the therapy of epilepsy', Medical 'genre' in the Greek-speaking world occurred in the early Palaiologan Byzantium.…”