Greek physician, born in Ceos. He founded a school of anatomy at Alexandria, and is considered one of the pioneers of modern medicine. He is said to have been the first to trace arteries and veins to the heart, and to have named the tricuspid valve in the heart.
Erasistratus of Chios (310 BC- 250 BC) was a Greek anatomist and royal physician under Seleucus I Nicator of Syria. Here, Erasistratus and Herophilus were permitted to perform human dissection (unknown whether dissections were on living humans or cadavers), and consequently, were able to solve some of the mysteries of the human body and its inter-workings.
Erasistratus considered atoms to be the essential body element, and he believed they were vitalized by external air (pneuma) that circulated through the nerves. Also, Erasistratus is credited with one of the first in-depth descriptions of the cerebrum and cerebellum.
Cardiovascular medicine was also greatly expanded due to Erasistratus’ research. Following his exploratory dissections, he believed that the arteries were full of air and that they carried the “animal spirit” from the heart.
Some consider Erasistratus the first cardiac arrhythmologist, studying the rhythms of the heart. By measuring heart palpitations, Erasistratus observed the reactions that the ill-stricken Antiochus had towards his visitors. He recognized the trend that whenever his young and beautiful mother, Stratunice, visited, Antiochus developed heart palpitations. Erasistratus concluded that it was Antiochus’ love for his mother that was ailing him, and they were allowed to wed.
References
Wright, John P.
Brain, Peter, Galen on Bloodletting: A Study of the Origins, Development and Validity of His Opinions.
www.cienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Erasistratus.html
www.in2greece.com/english/historymyth/history/ancient/erasistratus.htm
www.bartleby.com/65/er/Erasistr.html
www.mamweb.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=26000
http://www.malaspina.org/home.asp?topic=./search/details&lastpage=./search/results&ID=7
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