Outpatient clinic in ancient Greece

Introduction: Several sciences, including medicine, have their origin in Ancient Greece. It is intriguing to comprehend how Ancient Greek physicians were practicing medicine. The present study evaluates the role of an Ancient Greek physician in an outpatient clinic by examining the first depiction of such a clinic in Western history which is painted on the surface of a red-figured rounded small vase (aryvallos). Methods:An Ancient Greek aryvallos painted c. 480-450 BC, now on display at the Louvre museum, was meticulously studied regarding its painted surface, which presents an outpatient clinic in Ancient Greece. Other Ancient Greek works of art presenting medical activities have been also evaluated in order to reach informed conclusions regarding medical practice of that period. Results:The aryvallos depicts a physician performing bloodletting in a patient. Another five males, four of them with traumas holding canes are waiting their turn. Among them, a dwarf holding a hare on his shoulder can be seen. Suction cups on the wall and a copper basin on the floor for blood collection are also included in the picture. Discussion and conclusion: The aryvallos depicts the earliest known realistic scene of medical service in Western history. All previous Ancient Greek scenes which dealt with relevant themes, invariably included "holy" and divine interventions. Trauma management, as well as bloodletting seem to form part of the everyday medical practice of that time, while gifts to physicians (one of possible explanations of the dwarf's hare, which is depicted on the aryvallos scene) were common. Additionally, historical sources reveal that Ancient Greek physicians were well-paid and much respected. Medicine has always been an honorable practice throughout the centuries.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Historical analysis of outpatient clinics in ancient Greek medicine including treatment practices that influenced classical-era medicine and laid foundations for leech-therapy traditions.

Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой

More peer-reviewed studies in Клинические исследования.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigation of the therapeutic effects of medicinal leech treatment on lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudotherapy Efficacy and Complications in the Management of Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review — Foppiani J et al. (2024)
• Hirudotherapy in Wound Healing — Nair H et al. (2022)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →