07-04-2003, 12:21 AM
Dug this bit up on ancient medical knowledge. I seem to remember there was a thread a long while back on RAT with some discussion about what have been used as pain relief. Here are a couple of interesting possibilities:<br>
<br>
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2...7826.shtml<br>
<br>
Although opium apparently was widely used for medicinal purposes and Pliny was aware of the dangers of an overdose, I have seen no reference to awareness of it's addictive properties. It seems possible there were many drug addicts in ancient Rome!<br>
<br>
Also found this arcticle on the use of prosthetics:<br>
<br>
www.amputeeresource.org/H...etics.html<br>
<br>
It's interesting to note that Pliny in his 'Natural History' wrote of a certain Marcus Sergius a legate in the Second Punic War, who on losing his hand had an iron one fashioned enabling him to hold his shield and thus return to the battle.<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2...7826.shtml<br>
<br>
Although opium apparently was widely used for medicinal purposes and Pliny was aware of the dangers of an overdose, I have seen no reference to awareness of it's addictive properties. It seems possible there were many drug addicts in ancient Rome!<br>
<br>
Also found this arcticle on the use of prosthetics:<br>
<br>
www.amputeeresource.org/H...etics.html<br>
<br>
It's interesting to note that Pliny in his 'Natural History' wrote of a certain Marcus Sergius a legate in the Second Punic War, who on losing his hand had an iron one fashioned enabling him to hold his shield and thus return to the battle.<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
