Preliminary communication

SORANUS OF EPHESUS (98-138) ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Konstantinos Laios ; History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
Marianna Karamanou ; History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
Gregory Tsoucalas ; History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
George Androutsos ; History of Medicine Department, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece

Abstract

Although ancient Greek physicians described several mental disorders, their medical texts bring little information about postpartum depression as defined by modern medicine. Only one reference in ancient Greek medical literature - a passage from Soranus’ Gynaeciorum libri IV - can be considered a clear presentation of this mental disorder. Soranus’ interpretation seems to be firmly based on the tenets of the four humours.

Keywords

ancient Greek medicine; postpartum depression; mania; melancholy; Soranus of Ephesus

Hrčak ID:

125166

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/125166

Publication date:

15.6.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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