Page:Greek Biology and Medicine.djvu/123

 THE FINAL SYSTEMi GALEN phere of religion and reli^ous philosophy, which belonged to the dawning of a different era, was already tending to becloud man's vision of the natural world Further advance in exact science could not be expected, nor was medicine likely to gain much more from the clear and undeflected observation of its practi- tioners. Its ancient course was well-nigh run. Magnificently was it to be concluded in the achievements of Galen's genius. He was born at Pergamus in Asia Minor. An intelligent father took care that he received the best edu- cation that the town afforded in grammar and rhetoric, as well as mathematics, natural knowledge and philosophy. One may assume that the varied stores of ancient philosophy and knowledge had been rifled by this prodi- gious learner, when at the age of seventeen he decided to devote himself to medicine. Pergamus afforded good masters and opportu- nities for practice, especially in its widely sought Asclepieion, where patients were treated skillfully, and sometimes cured by miracle. Galen's readiness to recognize miracles was rather significant of the time and ominously prophetic. Having drained the opportunities of Per- [lOl]