Hippocrates gave a new and proper direction to the art of medicine by separating religious beliefs from medicine. He based the art of medicine on rational principles. His approach was characterized by concern for the sick person, careful medical observation and logical drawing of prognostic conclusions. 1)
Hippocrates stated that a physician should be understanding, unselfish, pure, modest, reasonable, attentive, make quick decisions, behave with dignity, speak concisely, be free from superstition, know what is useful and what is harmful, be ready to help and be serious. 2)
Hippocrates understood the importance of diet and hygiene in preventive health care. He fought superstitions, such as the one that epilepsy is caused by demonic possession. He believed that climate and environment affect health and the human condition. He included these thoughts in his work “The Oath. On the Sacred Disease. On Airs, Waters, and Places.” 3)
Hippocrates drew conclusions establishing a diagnosis based on a detailed analysis of disease symptoms. To the present day, there are many medical terms introduced by him. These include diagnosis, prognosis, therapia and epidemic. 4)
Soranus of Ephesus, a 2nd-century Greek physician, was the first biographer of Hippocrates and is the source of most of his personal information. 5)