Aspasia the Physician
Aspasia (ca 4th century AD) was an ancient Greek, Athenian physician that concentrated on obstetrics and gynecology.[1] She was an exception to the ancient Greek social class system that impeded women's access to education.[citation needed] Her work influenced physicians and surgeons of the Byzantine medicine period, including Aetius of Amida, and Paul of Aegina.[1] Aspasia introduced her own surgical techniques for uterine hemorrhoids, varicoceles, and hydroceles, both of which are similar to recent, modern methods.[1] She developed a technique for moving a breech baby to ease delivery. She also worked on preventive medicine with pregnant women.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Tsoucalas, Gregory; Kousoulis, Antonis A.; Androutsos, George (2012). "Innovative Surgical Techniques of Aspasia, the Early Greek Gynecologist". Surgical Innovation. 19 (3): 337–338. doi:10.1177/1553350611423933. PMID 22977086.
- ^ Ogilvie, Marilyn Bailey (1986). Women in science : antiquity through the nineteenth century : a biographical dictionary with annotated bibliography (3. print. ed.). Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-15031-X.