Caelius Aurelianus‘ textbook on medicine of the fifth century: rhythm in asthma, pain, and drug effects

ABSTRACT

Caelius Aurelianus was a Greek-Roman physician in the fifth century. He translated the work of Soranus from Ephesus into Latin and extended the medical knowledge of his time in several textbooks. His book “De Morbis acutis et chronicis” was reprinted many times up to the 19th century and served as the handbook for physicians. Aurelianus aready described in detail the rhythmic pattern – daily and seasonally – of asthma. Tooth pain was also first described by Caelius Aurelianus to peak at night and that drugs were not able to fully suppress the pain, a first indication of chronopharmacology.

KEYWORDS:

• Caelius Aurelianus
• asthma bronchiale
• daily and seasonal rhythm
• tooth pain
• inflammation

Acknowledgments

The author has no conflict of interest. The book of Caelius Aurelianus is part of his private library.