Apollonius of Citium (first century BC) and his work on the treatment of joint dislocations.

The purpose of this study was to summarise the life and work of the Cypriot physician Apollonius of Citium (first century BC). His overall work on medicine is presented, and special emphasis is given to his work on the treatment of joint dislocations. The most famous work of Apollonius is Treatise On Joints, which was preserved on the whole in a manuscript of the tenth century AD. In that manuscript, Apollonius is obviously influenced by the Hippocratic Corpus of Medicine. His description, diagnostic methods and reduction techniques are all based on those described by Hippocrates in his work "On Joints". Apollonius' contribution to this subject concerns accurate depiction in images of the reduction techniques he proposes. His simplifications describe the techniques of Hippocrates in a way they can be understood and used by athletes and nonphysicians in the Greek gymnasia. Perhaps his treatise is one of the earliest works of popularised medicine and surgery in the history of human civilisation.

Injuries of the spine and of the spinal cord in the Hippocratic Corpus of medicine.

The purpose of this review article is to summarize the views presented in the Hippocratic Corpus of Medicine regarding injuries of the spine, their effect on the spinal cord and the optimal treatment modulus. It is shown that the treatment dilemmas of ancient times in these injuries remain modern since Hippocrates suggested that conservative treatment and letting nature take its course is preferable over a devastating surgical treatment if the spinal cord structural integrity is not compromised. There is also a detailed account of the conservative treatment suggested in the Hippocratic Corpus concerning devices and method of closed spinal relocations.

Charles Estienne (1504-1564): His Life, Work, and Contribution to Anatomy and the First Description of the Canal in the Spinal Cord.

The purpose of this historic review is to summarize the life, work, and contribution to anatomy of Charles Estienne (also known by the Latin name Carolus Stephanus). Charles Estienne was an early exponent of the science of anatomy in France. Although he remained under the influence of the Galenic tradition of medicine, anatomy, and surgery throughout his distinguished career, he had a significant influence on the scientific revolution and anatomy reformation of the 16th century. Nevertheless, he cannot be placed at the same level of contribution as Vesalius, because of his lack of discipline in his work, hesitation to diverge totally from traditional beliefs, and his hesitation for a total criticism of the Galenic tradition.