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The Nervous System in Antiquity
François Pieter Retief, Louise Cilliers
Abstract
This overview of the development of the nervous system in antiquity, shows that whereas neuroanatomy had its heyday in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC (the Alexandrian School) and was later consolidated by Galen in the 2nd century AD, neurophysiology remained largely mired in erroneous concepts. While the descriptions of neurological disease often produced quite apt clinical pictures, poor understanding of pathophysiology resulted in ineffectual therapy.
Authors' affiliations
François Pieter Retief, University of the Free State
Louise Cilliers, University of the Free State
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Keywords
Medical history; Neuroanatomy; Neurology
Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2008;98(10):768.
Article History
Date submitted: 2007-05-27
Date published: 2008-10-08
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