The treatment of eye diseases in the Asclepieia

Abstract

The authors give a short report of ophthalmic treatment in Asclepieia by the priests, who had learned these cures through tradition from other priests. This can be testified by the writings on the stone tablets, which were found in the excavations of the Asclepieion at Epidaurus (1883). They give information concerning illnesses and their treatment. From this historical source we selected certain cases with eye-diseases and their treatment. Included is a part from Aristophanes' comedy "Ploutos", giving interesting ophthalmic treatments. These treatments by the priests, representing God Asclepius, mainly took the form of medicines and operations performed in a psychologically mysterious atmosphere.