Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 35

OF EPHESUS RUFUS (fl. 100) Peri ton en kystei kai nephrois pathon. Peri ton pharmakon kathartikon. Peri theseos kai onomasias ton tou anthropou morion Soranou Peri metras kai gynaikeiou aidoiou. [Greek title transliterated]. Ruffi Ephesii De vesicae renumque morbis. De pu Apud Adr. Turnebum 1554 [4] 60 pp. 15.9 cm.

Details regarding the life and career of Rufus are scanty although he is thought to have studied in Alexandria and may have practiced in Rome. He was active during the reign of Trajan (98-117) and what is known to us today of his writings comes from the compilations of later authors or manuscript fragments and extracts. Oribasius (see No. 46) and Paulus Aegineta (see No. 52 ff.) were responsible for preserving many of his writings and he was quoted and held in high repute by Galen (see No. 36 ff.). The three works of Rufus that are included here also appear in Latin text in Aretaeus (see No. 32). In his treatise on diseases of the bladder and kidney he discussed stones in the bladder, tumors of the bladder, bladder paralysis, hematuria, and inflammation and recommended appropriate therapeutic measures. He described kidney stones, diabetes, and cystitis, and provided an early description of chronic nephritis. In his treatise on purgative remedies, he discussed the uses and actions of such botanicals as colocynthis, calcifraga, peplos, aloe, clematis, heliotropium, and chamelaea. Rufus was an accomplished anatomist and On the names of the various parts of the body is recognized as the first comprehensive treatise on anatomical nomenclature. He acknowledged that his surface anatomy came from slaves and his internal anatomy from animal dissection. Rufus was aware of the difference between sensory and motor nerves and contributed significantly to the anatomical description of the eye. He made the first description of the optic chiasma and described many parts of the digestive and genitourinary systems.

See Related Record(s): 46 52 36 32 34

Cited references: Durling 3990; Wellcome 5623

Gift of John Martin, M.D.