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Surgery in Ancient Rome was extremely advanced for its time and varied from surgery for the teeth, eyes, amputations, and even small tumors. The ancient day dentist had to deal with an occasional small operation to repair and cap decaying teeth, which was done by making gold covers for the rotting teeth. During the treatment of wounds, if they happened to get infected or develop gangrene the best thought treatment was amputation. They had many different tools as well as sedation medication such as opium and henbane. The tools used in surgery were probes, hooks, forceps, needles, scalpels. Doctors were not required to have any standardized training but army surgeons had the most skills because they came in contact with so many new drugs and ideas. At first most doctors were Greek slaves or freedmen, but as time went on doctors were more a part of the wealthy class. In every situation, the surgeons had to be strong, dexterous, accurate, and most important, fast if they wanted a successful surgery.
Medicine in Ancient Rome
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Surgery in Rome:
Photographs of Substances/raw-opium.jpg. 2003. Photograph. Public Domain Photographs and Art, Nebraska. The Alcohol and Drug Information Clearinghouse. USASearch, 2003. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .
The lower class of Rome was always more susceptible to diseases and common sickness because of living conditions. In the poor parts of the city, they had less nutrition and more germs because they would throw their waste out the window on to the street which caused bugs and vermin to come and pass the viruses around. It was hard to keep food fresh in the heat so it was very common for someone to get food poisoning. The lower class suffered from plague epidemics that killed thousands, all the way down to basic wounds that would be treated by cleaning the area and wrapping them up. Much of the wealthy class would get gout and ulcers, which could lead to early death. The main treatments to cure illness were certain herbs and blood-letting. For small cuts they would use antiseptics made from wine, vinegar, pitch or turpentine.
Health in Rome:
Bellow is a picture of the drug opium in its raw state.
Wagner, W. L. Ericameria laricifolia (A. Gray) Shinners. Photograph. United States Department of Agriculture. USASearch. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .
This is a picture of a turpentine bush. Turpentine was used for antiseptics.
This is a picture of the Roman Coliseum, one of Romes most important monuments.
Gifts to Twelve Presidents. Photograph. Tokens and Treasures. USASearch. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. .
