D iagrams in G reek M edical M anuscripts

Excerpt

In this chapter I provide a critical examination of different forms of medical diagrams in Greek manuscripts, which are related to works by both ancient Greek and Byzantine medical authors. I have chosen to divide the material under examination into two large groups of evidence, reflecting the purpose for which the information being communicated was intended. In the first category, a diagram is in most cases used to illustrate a verbal concept in a synoptic format; I call these examples summary diagrams. In the second case, diagrams are used to give a coherent visual representation of certain objects; I call these spatial diagrams. They include geometrical diagrams, which represent two- or three-dimensional objects but do not necessarily correspond to physical objects. There are also spatial diagrams that represent real entities related to the practice of medicine, such as a urine vial (diagrams of medical equipment) or parts of a living organism (anatomical diagrams). The last category of spatial diagrams is related to iatromathematical treatises (medico-astrological diagrams); these sometimes share common characteristics with anatomical diagrams.