The pulse as diagnostic aid in Graeco-Roman times and the Mediaeval Ages/Die polsslag as diagnostiese hulpmiddel in die Grieks-Romeinse tye en die Middeleeue

The aim of this article is to highlight a particular contribution in the history of medicine made by ancient physicians more than two millennia ago. In modern times the taking of the pulse as clinical tool is self-evident, but the fact that doctors in Graeco-Roman times and the Medievel Ages, when so little was known of physiology and especially of the cardiovascular system, could measure the pulse beat to diagnose, evaluate and treat diseases, is quite remarkable. As such it is a forerunner of the modern taking of the pulse, though physicians today have more sophisticated ways to detect illnesses.