KOS - HIPPOCRATES & MEDICINE

Hippocrates the father of modern medicine, has forever been a critical bragging point to the islanders, Kos is justifiably characterized as the island of Hippocrates. The son of Heracleidis and Fanaireti, the heir to a family of priests and priestesses to Asclepius of the temple dedicated to him in Kos, Hippocrates born in Kos, in 460 B.C (according to tradition in the old capital of Astipalaia) founded and laid the groundwork for the medical science .He himself bore two sons Thessalos and Drakontas both excellent doctors.

Having received excellent education from his father and grandfather, he went on to study under the dietitian Herodicus Silymvrianous ,the sophist Gorgias Leontinos and the philosopher Democritus Abderitis .Practicing medicine in the schools of Kos and Kindos, he was not enthralled by the mysticism of the sacramental medicine of the priests of his time. Touring through many lands, Thrace, Thasos and Egypt, his studies were not limited to nature and the climate but extended to include peoples and traditions.

On his return, to Kos he begun the process of analyzing all the knowledge he obtained through his tours. Taking upon himself to direct the medical school of Kos, he taught those of aptitude and ability. He observed and studied the medical practices of the hierophants of Asclepius, that of the mystics and of the practical doctors and followed through with gymnasts and philosophers in their own medical pursuits and practices. The results were innovative therapeutic methods, simplified and objectified religious medical instructions and a declaration of a manifesto that condemned the charlatans of the time and described the humanitarian notions of `either aid or do not harm`, and `where love for man exists, love for art will also follow`.

To Hippocrates, Mother Nature was the greatest leader. He conceived medicine to be tied to philosophy, which in turn led him to believe that a doctor ought to be capable of producing philosophical thought. Therefore, to qualify as a doctor one should be among others respectful of the divine, a philanthropist, modest, unconcerned by wealth, patient, gentle, and a man of confidence.The fame of Hippocrates spread through Greece like wildfire. From every corner of the peninsula summons came asking for his services. He cured among others Democritus of Abdera, the king of Macedonia Perdikas II who was afflicted by psychological depression. On a visit to Athens he halted a plague that scourged the town. He was honored by the Athenians with a golden wreath and celebrated by his fellow islanders who carved his likeness upon the coinage of the city.

Hippocrates died in Thessaly of old age and was buried between Tirnavos and Larissa. Legend has it that a nest of bees that produced honey with therapeutic qualities remained existed above his grave.

Thanks to Hippocrates the small island of Kos contributed critically to Greek thought and civilization. Hippocrates` genius, a hierophant and a mystic of the most vital of man`s religions, a reformist of medical arts, made the island prominent among the old world.