Some Notes on Medical Liability in Ancient Times

Abstract

Already in ancient times did medical liability occupy mankind. Various civilizations did give their own interpretation on the subject and proposed solutions. Original writings are rare and articles concerning ancient medical liability equally are hard to find. The only relatively trustworthy sources are of legal nature and find their origin in Greek philosophy and Roman Law. At a later stage, Arabic philosophers gave a renewed view on the statements of these previous civilizations and added their own way of thinking. All these influences still reflect in our modern western way of medical acting. Some of these ancient customs concerning medical liability will be discussed in this article.

Key Words:

• Medical liability
• surgery
• ancient times.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

F.J.M.P. Somville

Dr. F. J. M. P. Somville Dept. of Epidemiology and Community Medicine Universiteitsplein 1 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium E-mail: [email protected]