Hippocrates

Hippocrates of Kos (c. 460 – c. 370 BCE) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of medicine. Often called the "Father of Medicine," he authored the Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of texts that laid the groundwork for the practice of medicine in the Western world. His contributions include the Hippocratic Oath, which established ethical standards for medical practice and remains influential to this day. During his lifetime, Hippocrates emphasized systematic observation and documentation of diseases, moving away from supernatural explanations. He introduced the theory of the four humors, which became a cornerstone of medical knowledge for centuries. Hippocrates also founded the Hippocratic School of Medicine on the island of Kos, where he taught and advanced the practice of clinical medicine.