Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Hadrian

  • Hadrian and Frank’s sign

    Vittoria SabatiniFlorence, Italy It is difficult to remain an emperor in the presence of a physician, and difficult even to keep one’s essential quality as man. The professional eye saw in me only a mass of humors, a sorry mixture of blood and lymph. This morning it occurred to me for the first time that…

  • Death in ancient times

    George DuneaChicago, IL British Medical Journal, Volume 294, 18 April 1987 “Many a physician has slain a king!” the emperor Hadrian shouted aloud as he lay on his deathbed. But Augustus when he was near death gathered his friends to ask if, in the manner of actors, he deserved applause for having played well his…

  • Many physicians have slain a king

    George Dunea BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL – VOLUME 308  (January 29, 1994) Modern tourists know Hadrian mainly for his mausoleum in Rome or for the wall that he built in the north of England to keep out the barbarians. Historians think of him as an effective emperor and a capable administrator. But he was also a…