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Hippocrates earned the title “Father of Medicine” for his extensive work in ancient Greece. He effectively established medicine as a profession. Modern doctors still swear to uphold the ethical standards he laid out in the Hippocratic Oath. His work On Surgery provides a fascinating look into medical history and the historical practices of this great physician.

This Aristotelian treatise makes up part of the philosopher’s Parva Naturalia, which is Latin for “short treatises on nature”. In this text, he presents his ideas about the human senses. He connects each sense to an element - sight to water, touch to earth, etc. While Aristotle’s view of the senses is scientifically inaccurate in many ways, this treatise is a fascinating read for anyone interested in learning more about how the ancients understood the world.

“On Dreams” is part of Aristotle’s Parva Naturalia, a collection of works on the phenomena of human life. In this treatise, he hypothesizes that we dream because our sensory organs continue to function while we sleep. He compares dreams to hallucinations - errors in our sense perception. Aristotle’s view of dreams influenced philosopher Thomas Hobbes and psychologist Sigmund Freud, and it continues to fascinate people today.

Hippocrates revolutionized the study of medicine in Ancient Greece, but some of his ideas still influence the medical field today. In his book On Ulcers, Hippocrates details the recommended treatment for this ailment. While modern medicine has moved beyond using honey, boiled leaves, and white wine to treat ulcers, Hippocrates’ advice on diet and rest hold true. This text is fascinating for anyone interested in the historical development of medical practices.