Pediatr Int. 2002 Aug; 44(4): 460-2.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: III-- respiratory diseases of childhood.

Ramoutsaki IA, Dimitriou H, Markaki EA, Kalmanti M.

Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

Evidence on herbal, veterinary and chemical substances used in various forms for respiratory problems of childhood such as acute otitis, acute tonsillitis and parotitis was investigated in the Byzantine medical treatizes, from the 4th to the 15th century ad. The problem of asthma in childhood was well known during the Byzantine period. Despite the existent Hippocratic tradition, the physicians of the times developed their own methods of treatment. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios from Pergamos, Aetius of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paulus Aeginitis, Theophanis Nonnos and others, strongly suggest influences from ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time indicate an original medical thought.