Roman children in the early empire : a distinct epidemiological and therapeutic category?
Roman writers acknowledged the peculiar biological and psychological characteristics of children. This thesis examines the hypothesis that they regarded them as members of distinct epidemiological and therapeutic groups. Its chief sources of information are medical texts from the Early Empire, supplemented by archaeological evidence. It attempts to determine the extent to which the above traits informed theories concerning the prevalence, pathogenesis and prognosis of childhood ailments. Celsus stated that children should not be treated in the same way as adults. This thesis investigates whether other medical authorities shared this view, and whether Roman practitioners abided by this principle. It explores the ways in which they treated sick children and whether they employed different approaches according to the age or gender of individuals. This research breaks new ground in that it makes direct comparisons between treatments for children and adults, and children of varying age, and between children of either gender. It acknowledges the diversity of medicine in the Roman world and places equal emphasis on âscientificâ and supernatural practices. Another innovation is the use of case studies; these provide
Bagley, AndrĂ©e Marie
D History (General) ; R Medicine (General)
Roman children in the early empire : a distinct epidemiological and therapeutic category?. Roman writers acknowledged the peculiar biological and psychological characteristics of children. This thesis examines the hypothesis that they regarded them as members of distinct epidemiological and therapeutic groups. Its chief sources of information are medical texts from the Early Empire, supplemented by archaeological evidence. It attempts to determine the extent to which the above traits informed theories concerning the prevalence, pathogenesis and prognosis of childhood ailments. Celsus stated that children should not be treated in the same way as adults. This thesis investigates whether other medical authorities shared this view, and whether Roman practitioners abided by this principle. It explores the ways in which they treated sick children and whether they employed different approaches according to the age or gender of individuals. This research breaks new ground in that it makes direct comparisons between treatments for children and adults, and children of varying age, and between children of either gender. It acknowledges the diversity of medicine in the Roman world and places equal emphasis on âscientificâ and supernatural practices. Another innovation is the use of case studies; these provide
roman child early_empire distinct epidemiological therapeutic category roman writer acknowledge peculiar biological psychological characteristic child examines hypothesis regard member distinct epidemiological therapeutic group chief source_information medical_text early_empire supplement archaeological_evidence attempt_determine extent trait inform theory concern prevalence childhood state child treat way adult investigates_whether medical authority share view whether roman practitioner abide principle explores_way treat sick child whether employ different_approach accord age_gender individual break_new ground make direct comparison treatment child_adult child vary age child either gender acknowledges diversity medicine roman_world place equal emphasis scientific supernatural practice another innovation use case_study provide