GALEN ON A CRYING AND FUSSY INFANT

Abstract

Claudius Galenus, one of the greatest figures in medical history, was born at Pergamos in Asia Minor A.D. 131 and lived to be about 70 years old. He studied medicine at Alexandria, and in 162 settled in Rome, where in 169 he became personal physician to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Among his voluminous writings, none is superior to his book entitled Hygiene (De Sanitate Tuenda). The quotation below taken from Dr. Robert M. Green's superb translation of Galen's Hygiene will show his practical approach in soothing a crying and fussy infant. For no animal likes excess of anything, but always wants moderation. But moderation is not the same to all, for all moderation is relative to the individual. Therefore whoever undertakes the bringing up of infants must be able to guess accurately what is moderate and comfortable and provide this before increasing distress throws the body and mind into excess of activity, and if ever the increasing distress escapes his notice, to try to provide immediately the thing desired or to remove the annoyance either by rocking in the arms or by modulation of the voice, which sagacious nurses are accustomed to employ. Once, when a baby had cried and fussed and tossed all day, and the nurse was completely at a loss, I discovered the cause of the trouble. For when he did not quiet down by having the nipple put in his mouth or by the nurse holding him in case he wanted to move his bowels or urinate, and was not consoled even when by taking him in her arms she tried to make him lie down, I inspected his bed and his coverings and his soiled clothing, and the baby himself dirty and unwashed, and ordered her to wash and wipe him, change his bed, and give him completely clean clothing.