From Galen to Xerox: The Authoritarian Reference in Medicine

Editorials1 February 1982From Galen to Xerox: The Authoritarian Reference in MedicineFAITH T. FITZGERALD, M.D.FAITH T. FITZGERALD, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-96-2-245 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptClarissimus Galen was a Greek physician who lived and practiced in Rome in the second century A. D. He was said to be a skilled practitioner, but he was better known for preferring theory over observation, his dogmatism, and a reputation for infallibility. For centuries after his death until the time of Vesalius, questions of anatomy, physiology, and disease were referred back to Galen's works as the final authority (1). This inordinate influence of the man and of his writings was characteristic of a European medicine stagnant for nearly 14 centuries.Our medical schools take great pride in seeking knowledge...References1. GARRISON F. Greek medicine. In: History of Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co; 1929:112-7. Google Scholar2. DEGROOTSIEGLER LM. The morning report syndrome and medical search. N Engl J Med. 1979;301:1285-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. COLLERFRANKMILTON BRR. Plasma cofactors of platelet function: correlation with diabetic retinopathy and hemoglobins Ala-c. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88:311-6. LinkGoogle Scholar4. KRIEGERSIROTALIEBERMAN DDT. Cryohypophysectomy for diabetic retinopathy. Ann Intern Med. 1970;72:309-16. LinkGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: FAITH T. FITZGERALD, M.D.Affiliations: School of Medicine University of California Davis, California PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byMedical journals and effective dissemination of health researchTeaching critical appraisal during critical care fellowship training: A foundation for evidence-based critical care medicineReading a Journal Article 1 February 1982Volume 96, Issue 2Page: 245-246 ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 February 1982 PDF downloadLoading ...