Asclepiades began by vilifying the principles and practices of his predecessors, and by asserting that he had discovered a more effective method of treating diseases than had been before known to the world. He decried the efforts of those who sought to investigate the structure of the body, or to watch the phenomena of
disease, and he is said to have directed his attacks, particularly, against the writings of
Hippocrates. Discarding the
humoral doctrine of Hippocrates, Asclepiades attempted to build a new theory of disease, and founded his medical practice on a modification of the
atomic or corpuscular theory, according to which disease results from irregular or inharmonious motion of the corpuscles of the body. Acute diseases were caused essentially by a constriction of the pores or an obstruction of them by an excess of atoms; Chronic diseases were caused by a relaxation of the pores or a deficiency of atoms. Asclepiades thought that other mild diseases were caused by a disruption in bodily fluids and
pneuma. He separated illnesses into three separate categories:
status strictus (too tightly held),
status laxus (too loosely held), and
status mixtus (a little of each). He also believed that there were no critical days of diseases, meaning that illnesses do not end at a definite time. Asclepiades' remedies were, therefore, directed to the restoration of harmony. He trusted much to changes in diet, massages, bathing and exercise, although he did employ
emetics and
bleeding. and upon his attending to their every need, and indulging their inclinations. He would treat all his patients fairly and did not discriminate based on gender or mental illness. He believed treating his patients kindly and amicably was essential to being a good physician.
Cito tuto jucunde (meaning to treat his patients "swiftly, safely, and sweetly") was a motto that he followed. This contrasted with the behavior of other physicians who practiced during his lifetime and of whom it was said had a tendency to be uncaring and unsympathetic towards their patients.
Drug theory Digestion was a primary factor in Asclepiades' drug theory. Particles of food were seen as the main cause of indigestion. If the particles of food were small, digestion would follow its normal course. However, if the particles were too big, indigestion would occur. If an illness were to occur, he believed that drugs were not the solution. His prescribed treatment was food and wine (given in appropriate amounts) followed by an
enema, which would extract the improper food doing the damage. This procedure would remove the cause of illness. Asclepiades believed that the use of drugs for cleansing was of no use - "all the substances were produced by the drugs themselves", but, rather, "Treatment consists merely of three elements: drink, food and the enema". Asclepiades was heavily influenced by Pythagoreanism and the early work of Democritus on herbal powers and remedies. Pliny the Elder says of him, “Above all, he was helped by magean deceits, which prevailed to such a degree that they were strong enough to destroy confidence in all herbal remedies” and goes on to detail some of the magic powers of those plants, including two previously detailed by Democritus.
Music therapy Asclepiades used
music therapy to treat mentally ill patients in order to maintain "psychogenic equilibrium". While Asclepiades was not the first to use music therapy, he used it to treat mental illness along with other ailments including viper bites and scorpion stings. Gentle music was recommended to those in a flippant state, while those in a somber state were encouraged with music using the
Phrygian mode. He did not recommend the use of a flute in any treatments because it was considered to be too energetic and would not have a calming effect on patients. He believed that the part of the body that was affected would dance to the music and expel the pain from the body. The medical writers
Galen and
Aretaeus, both of whom lived in the 2nd century AD, credited Asclepiades with being the first individual to perform an elective (non-emergency)
tracheotomy. Asclepiades advocated humane treatment of mental disorders and had insane persons freed from confinement and treated them with natural therapy, such as diet and massages. Asclepiades is considered to be a pioneer physician in psychotherapy, physical therapy, and molecular medicine. ==References==