J. Lascaratos et D. Assimakopoulos, From the roots of otology: Diseases of the ear and their treatment in Byzantine times (324-1453 AD), AM J OTOL, 20(3), 1999, pp. 397-402
Hypothesis: The aim of this study is to present the therapeutic methods and
surgical techniques in diseases of the ear during Byzantine times (324-145
3 A.D.).
Background/Methods: The original creek language texts of the Byzantine medi
cal writers were studied to research early otologic knowledge of symptomato
logy, conservative treatments, and surgical confrontation of diseases of th
e ear.
Results: A considerable number of conservative treatments for many otologic
conditions were identified; these therapies were especially based on herbs
, animal and mineral substances applied either as eardrops: clysters, poult
ices, or by using special instruments and apparatus. Among these were ident
ified otitis, rupture of the eardrum, hemorrhage from the ears, deficiency
of hearing and deafness, vertigo, tinnitus, and earwax. Furthermore, in the
se early texts, there were also described some surgical techniques in cases
of atresia of the external auditory canal, of defects in or lack of the pi
nna, and for removal of foreign bodies and fleshy tumors. Some of the earli
est hearing aids were also mentioned.
Conclusions: From the study of the original works of Byzantine writers, it
is evident that numerous treatments and surgical techniques relating to oto
logy were practiced; these were derived not only from compilation of knowle
dge obtained from the ancient Greek medical sources, a considerable part of
which are now lost, but also enriched by Byzantine physicians' personal ex
perience. This knowledge influenced medieval European medicine and, through
it, that of the rest of the world.