Galen’s Wisdom for Modern Life
Seeking Galen's Ancient Wellness Solutions in the Modern World
The relentless pace and technological intrusion of modern life can leave us longing for bygone eras—times when smartphones and plastics were non-existent. Many find guidance in the philosophies of Freud or the steadfastness of Stoicism. Personally, I decided to explore the insights of one of the ancient world's most renowned medical figures: Galen.
A philosopher and physician hailing from the Greco-Roman world of the second century, Galen gained extraordinary prominence as the personal physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius' son, Commodus. His writings were exceptionally prolific, constituting an estimated 10% of all Greek literature that survives from before 350 AD. Galen’s theories exerted a powerful influence on the development of Western medicine for over a thousand years. His work, now collected in the book How to Be Healthy: An Ancient Guide to Wellness, reveals his intricate understanding of the connection between mind and body, the importance of exercise, and the principles of health and illness.
Remarkably modern principle
While some recommendations may strike the modern reader as peculiar (he was firmly opposed to gymnasiums, believing them to breed laziness and dull-wittedness!), others contain timeless wisdom. One remarkably modern principle emphasized the importance of gratitude and perspective, encouraging the reader to counter distress by focusing on blessings rather than comparisons.
Considering his success in treating both powerful emperors and hardened gladiators, Galen’s advice might hold something useful for a journalist like myself, forever hunched over a laptop battling the ills of the Information Age.
With this in mind, I devised a simple wellness plan rooted in Galen's principles. First, he emphasized gaining self-awareness by actively seeking the opinions of older men to identify personal flaws. Next, I would engage in the mysterious "exercise with the small ball" to improve fitness. And finally, I would attempt to understand and balance my own mix of the four humors – the bodily fluids seen as central to health in Galen's era.
To clarify the best way forward
But wisdom from nearly 2000 years ago can be murky. To clarify the best way forward, I spoke with Dr. Katherine D Van Schaik, assistant professor of classical and Mediterranean studies at Vanderbilt University medical center. A practicing physician herself, Dr. Van Schaik translated Galen's work for the book and provided invaluable insight.
"You've certainly captured the essence of Galen's three-pronged approach, addressing the soul, the body, and one's diet," she confirmed. However, she cautioned that a literal interpretation of Galen could be risky and that it was best to understand his words in the context of their time.
Dr. Van Schaik's preface in the book acknowledges the limitations of Galen's theories, many built on outdated understandings of human anatomy and physiology (like the four humors). "Following his medical advice directly would be unwise, even harmful in some cases," she clarifies. However, her translations emphasize guidance that resonates with modern medical practice or would at least be deemed harmless to pursue.
Seeking Feedback from the Elders
To become healthier and perhaps a bit wiser, Galen believed the first step was uncovering one's blind spots. "Those seeking to improve are often unaware of their many shortcomings," he wrote, attributing this to our natural tendency towards self-love. His solution: candid feedback from others, specifically, "older men who have lived the best sort of lives."
Now, as a woman on the internet, I've had ample unsolicited (and frequently dubious) feedback from older men throughout my life. Though grateful, this doesn't quite align with Galen's vision of mentors embodying "goodness". Luckily, Dr. Van Schaik suggested expanding my quest by including older women as well, a more sensible approach!
For my source of wise elders, I turned to my parents' weekly Zoom social with their longtime college friends. After lively debate among this collection of Capricorns, Cancers, and Pisces, a primary area for improvement emerged: "You're far too obsessed with astrology," declared my father.
Ouch! While my inner star child bristled, I embraced the spirit of Galen's exercise and committed to self-improvement as suggested by these wise elders. For the next week, I resisted checking my daily horoscope apps. Congratulating an ex-colleague on her birthday felt incomplete without declaring her an "Aquarian queen". I faltered only once, sneaking a peek at Truman Capote's birth chart (he was a Libra, unsurprisingly), but otherwise considered it a personal victory.
Exploring the Enigma of the Small Ball
Galen championed exercise as a vital pillar of health, but not just any fitness routine would do. He was a staunch critic of running, deeming it too severe on the body and lacking in the ability to cultivate courage. Instead, the ideal workout was the intriguing-yet-baffling "exercise with the small ball." It was lauded as "convenient", "accessible", and "comprehensive", said to possess benefits for mind and spirit alike.
Unfortunately, Galen omitted detailed instructions, offering only cryptic mentions of throwing, "neck grabs," and "wrestling holds." Intrigued yet confused, I turned back to Dr. Van Schaik for further guidance.
"It's certainly a historical puzzle," she confessed. "We don't have a precise picture of the game and its rules." She suspected a multi-player affair, likely incorporating a tennis-sized ball and perhaps resembling a spirited hybrid of keep-away and dodgeball.
Sadly, I had neither a group of willing friends nor the desire for neck-grabbing-related injuries. I settled on a modified version: throwing a tennis ball to my boyfriend while he playfully kept it from me. My scrambling attempts to regain possession proved surprisingly exhausting, leading to breathless laughter more than athletic prowess. While success remained elusive, the exertion and playfulness felt vaguely in line with Galen's intentions, if not the specifics.
Understanding My Humoral Balance
A cornerstone of Galen's medical philosophy was the concept of the four humors: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. These bodily fluids were believed to exist in each individual in a unique balance, influencing everything from temperament to disease susceptibility. According to Galen, an unhealthy state arose when any of the humors became imbalanced.
Humorism dominated Western medicine for centuries, only declining in the 19th century with the advent of germ theory. But, committed to a full Galenic experience, I decided to embrace this ancient system temporarily. Thankfully, I had guidance from Angela He, a rare books librarian at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis and an expert on the history of the four humors.
Four humoral temperaments
He skillfully outlined the four humoral temperaments. Those with an abundance of blood were "sanguine", associated with rosy cheeks and an overall cheerful disposition. "Cholerics" overflowed with yellow bile, making them prone to hot tempers. The melancholic, often linked with creativity, harbored an excess of black bile, while an abundance of phlegm rendered someone "phlegmatic" – sluggish and indifferent, by this model.
Armed with this knowledge, I self-diagnosed as confidently sanguine. My cheeks blush frustratingly easily, and my cheerful nature is well-documented. But then, doesn't everyone secretly think they're the fun, vivacious one of their friend group?
He agreed that sanguine was a tempting classification but offered a follow-up: did I enjoy spicy food and tend to sweat a lot? Confession – I do both, to a rather embarrassing degree. This, according to the ancient Greeks and Romans, sealed my fate: blood is the equivalent of sweat.
Suddenly, my lifelong struggle with natural deodorants made perfect sense, at least from Galen's perspective.
Balancing the Humors Through Diet
For Galen, correcting a humoral imbalance could be achieved through strategic adjustments to one's diet. Just as bodily fluids possessed inherent qualities (blood being hot and wet, yellow bile hot and dry, etc.), so too did food. Therefore, a sanguine person like myself, overflowing with hot, wet blood, should counterbalance that with foods of the opposite qualities – cold and dry.
"Consider incorporating things like mushrooms, lentils, and tea," suggested He, listing examples of cold and wet foods. Beef, with its cold and dry properties, would also help restore my humoral equilibrium. On the other hand, I must avoid spicy dishes, lamb, veal, and turnips – all considered heating to the system.
"Basically, either bland, wet ingredients or steak, I suppose," He summarized with a chuckle.
Putting this into practice proved surprisingly delightful. I embraced my inner ancient Roman, dining on oysters and steak tartare, reveling in the temporary luxury of such a diet. While neither my budget nor my arteries could sustain this long-term, it did highlight how dietary changes could potentially alter bodily states – a concept that resonates with aspects of modern nutrition.
Reflections and a Word of Caution
So, the question remains: did a week steeped in Galen's advice leave me feeling healthier, happier, or brimming with ancient wisdom? Sadly, no. Humorism, as it turns out, is a terrible foundation for modern wellness plans. The exercise with the small ball was more hilarious than helpful, and while I resisted the elders' advice on astrology for a few days, I quickly slipped back into my star-chart-loving ways.
Still, Dr. Van Schaik reminds me that Galen deserves our respect despite his outdated theories. "He trained with the same rigorous intensity as a modern MD/PhD student," she explains. "That level of dedication to medicine is something I, as a physician, can't help but admire."
Galen's bold certainty also serves as a valuable reminder for today's doctors to temper their hard-won expertise with a dose of humility. "Galen was absolutely convinced of his theories, yet history has shown us he was wrong in so many ways," Dr. Van Schaik observes. "It's vital that modern physicians remain reflective, constantly asking ourselves what we could be overlooking or doing better."
This is a profound takeaway, applicable far beyond the realm of medicine. It highlights the fallibility of even the most brilliant minds, reminding us all to retain a healthy skepticism and willingness to change course when new evidence emerges.
But, I must confess, I still believe astrology is a bit of harmless fun.
The Verdict
While transforming myself into a healthier individual by adhering directly to Galen's advice was a resounding failure, the experiment wasn't without valuable lessons. Firstly, seeking constructive criticism, whether from wise elders or medical professionals, can highlight areas for growth, even if we choose to selectively embrace their advice.
Secondly, the emphasis on exercise resonated, encouraging me to find ways to incorporate playful movement into my routine – a stark improvement over my usual laptop-induced stasis. Perhaps I'll take up a less dangerous, non-neck-grabbing team sport.
Finally, though outdated, the notion of the four humors offered a fascinating glimpse into how our ancestors understood the interplay between food and internal balance. It sparked a renewed appreciation for the power of diet as a potential influencer of well-being, a principle still under active investigation by modern science.
Galen might have been wrong about many things, but his unwavering belief in a holistic approach to health, considering the connection between soul, body, and lifestyle, still holds relevance today. Maybe his greatest legacy isn't a specific treatment plan, but rather the enduring quest to understand the delicate interplay of factors contributing to our overall wellness.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Relevance
Ultimately, my foray into Galen's world revealed that seeking perfect health formulas in the past can be a misguided endeavor. Medical knowledge has evolved drastically since those times. Furthermore, rigid adherence to any advice, ancient or contemporary, can often backfire. My short-lived ban on all things astrological felt more like a punishment than a road to self-improvement – sometimes, a little lighthearted fun is exactly what we need for our mental well-being.
Perhaps the greatest value in studying thinkers like Galen lies not in the specifics of their beliefs, but in the broader lessons we can extract. Their work prompts us to consider our lifestyles holistically. How does our work affect our physical and mental states? Is our diet nourishing or depleting us? Are we moving our bodies enough, and in ways that bring joy, not just strain?
While contemporary self-help gurus offer quick solutions with glossy packaging, ancient thinkers challenge us to delve deeper. They understood that genuine, sustainable change often involves a process of self-reflection and experimentation. Galen's call for seeking feedback from wise elders reminds us that introspection shouldn't occur in a vacuum – outside perspectives can illuminate aspects of ourselves we might otherwise miss.
Broaden our understanding of the present
In this way, engaging with the voices of the past can broaden our understanding of the present. Historical figures like Galen offer a stark contrast to the modern obsession with instant results and fad solutions. Their writings reveal a world where wellness was an ongoing journey of self-awareness, adaptation, and resilience in the face of ever-changing circumstances – a philosophy that feels surprisingly necessary in this age of quick fixes and endless distractions.
The passage of time and the rise of modern science have relegated many of Galen's specific theories to the category of medical curiosities. Yet, his enduring emphasis on observation, personalized approach, and the vital connection between mental and physical health serve as poignant reminders for anyone grappling with the complexities of modern life.
Perhaps the true power of his work lies not in providing definitive answers but in sparking questions within us.
What can my lifestyle teach me about my current state of health? Am I prioritizing my well-being in all its dimensions? Where could I use a dose of ancient perspective to cultivate greater balance in my contemporary existence?
In the end, the most valuable "wellness tip" we may glean from those who came before us is simply this: the quest for a healthier, more fulfilling life is a timeless, worthy pursuit, and its best solutions are those we continuously discover and refine within ourselves.
