‘From angina to rheumatism: Ancient medical terminology and practice’: A Classics for All talk by Peter Jones

Peter Jones will be giving a talk entitled ‘From angina to rheumatism: Ancient medical terminology and practice’ on Thu 10 November 2016 6.30pm.

A Friends of Classics Memorial Lecture  

Much of the terminology of modern medicine derives from ancient Greek, often via the Latin into which Roman doctors converted it, e.g. Greek στόμαχος→Latin stomachus, Greek καρκίνος ‘crab’→Latin cancer. This rich inheritance is fortunately not matched by any adherence to ancient medical practice, though Greeks are credited with the invention of ‘rational’ medicine to some of whose basic principles we still adhere.

This talk will explore the language and practice of ancient medicine, with many eye-opening and sometimes eye-watering examples. All Greek will be transliterated, and (with the Latin) translated where necessary, including that well-known Latin word git, with its many health-giving properties.

Dr Peter Jones will deliver this talk on ‘From angina to rheumatism: Ancient medical terminology and practice’ as the first in an annual series of Friends of Classics Memorial Lectures.

The lectures put on by Friends of Classics were classed as seminars rather than monologues. The atmosphere was relaxed, and interruptions, objections and questions were welcome throughout, indeed encouraged. Bonus points were added for stumping the speaker. The Memorial Lectures will carry on in this spirit.

Doors will open at 6.00pm and the talk will begin at 6.30pm.  A wine and canapé reception will follow.

For more information and to book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dr-peter-jones-from-angina-to-rheumatism-ancient-medical-terminology-and-practice-tickets-26948735393