Early History of Psychiatry
- 1550 BC
The Ebers papyrus, one of the most important medical papyri of ancient Egypt, briefly mentioned clinical depression.
- 6th century Bc
600 B.C., many cities had temples to Asklepios known as an Asklepieion that provided cures for psychosomatic illnesses
- 4th century BC
Greek physician Hippocrates theorized that physiological abnormalities may be the root of mental disorders.
- 280 BC
Greek physician and philosopher Herophilus studied the nervous system and distinguished between sensory nerves and motor nerves.
- 250 BC
Greek anatomist Erasistratus studied the brain and distinguished between the cerebrum and cerebellum.
- 705
The first psychiatric hospital was built by Muslims in Baghdad, followed by Cairo in 800, and Damascus in 1270.
- 11th century
Persian physician Avicenna recognized "physiological psychology" in the treatment of illnesses involving emotions, and developed a system for associating changes in the pulse rate with inner feelings.
- 1247
Bethlehem Royal Hospital in Bishopsgate outside the wall of London, one of the most famous old psychiatric hospitals was founded as a priory of the Order of St. Mary of Bethlem to collect alms for Crusaders; after the English government secularized it, it started admitting mental patients by 1377 (1403?), becoming known as Bedlam Hospital; in 1547 it was acquired by the City of London, operating until 1948; it is now part of the British NHS Foundation Trust.
Read more about this topic: Timeline Of Psychiatry
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