Galen : a bibliographical demonstration in the Library of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, December 9th, 1891 / [James Finlayson].

Date:
[1892]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Galen : a bibliographical demonstration in the Library of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, December 9th, 1891 / [James Finlayson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    GALEN.' [A BiBLIOGEAPHICAL DeMONSTBATION IN THE LiBBABY OF THE Faculty of Physicians and Subgeons of Glasgow, Decembeb 9th, 1891.] At our last bibliographical demonstration I showed you, in the various editions we possess in this library, the works of Hippocrates^, wlio is often styled the Father of Medicine. To-night we have on the table before us the works of Galen, who is sometimes termed the Prince of Physicians. His name is given in various languages as taahnos, Galenus, Galen, Galien. The chronology, or dates of his life, unlike those of Hippocrates, are not involved in any great doubt, for in his own writings there are very numerous autobiographical and historical details,' which allow of considerable accuracy in tracing his course. As mere dates afford to many of us but slight indications of the period when a man flourished I give here certain dates as landmarks to guide our ideas on this subject: Claudius Galen, born a.d. 128 or 130, died about a.d. 200. Lucian (the Greek writer of Dialogues, etc.), born about Ja.d. 120, died about A.D. 200. The Emperor Marcus Aurelius (the Stoic philosopher), reigned a.d. 161-180. Polycarp (the Christian martyr), died between a.d. 168-175. PBBGAMtxM— Satan's Thbone thebe. Galen was born at Pergamum, and so the adjective Perga- menus or Pergamensis is often affixed to his name. 1 The following have been found specially useful : Dr. W. A. Greenhill: Art G&lenns, in Smith's Bid ionary of Greek and Roman Biography, vol. ii. London: 1870. M. Laboulb6ne: Histoire de Galien, sa vie, ses oeuvres, son dernier traducteur, Charles Daremberg, Qazette des Hopitaux, pp. 1041- 1188. Paris: 1882. Dr. T. K. Chambers: The Bloodletting Question in Olden Times, British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgrcal Rcvieiu, vol. xxii. London: 18.58. Dr. J. Kidd : A Cursory Analysis of the Works of Galen, so far as they relate to Anatomy and Physiology, Transactions o f the Pro- vincial Medical and Surgical Association, vol. vi, part 1. London: 18.37. Dr R Gasquet: The Practical Medicine of Galen and his Time, British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review, vol. xl. London : 1867. Pusch- mann (Th.): A History of Medical Education, translated and edited by Evan H Hare. London : 1891. Works on the History of Medicine and on Medical Biography should also be consulted by those desiring to study the life and works of Galen, such as Le Clerc (D.), Histoire de la Mddecine. Amst • 1723. I am indebted to Mr. Duncan, our Librarian at the Faculty, for writing out some translations for me from the Latin version in Kiihn's edition of Galen's works. 2 See Qlasgoio Medical Journal, April, 1892. 8 M Laboulbfcne says these references have been collected by M. Goulin, but I have not had an opportunity of referring to his book. B