Dexippus of Cos
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dexippus of Cos (Ancient Greek: Δέξιππος ὁ Κῷος; 4th century BC), also called Dioxippus, was a Greek physician of Cos, who was one of the pupils of the celebrated Hippocrates, and lived in the 4th century BC.[1][2] Hecatomnus, prince of Caria (385–377 BC), sent for him to cure his sons, Mausolus and Pixodarus, of a dangerous illness, which he undertook to do upon condition that Hecatomnus should cease from waging war against his country.[1][2]
He wrote some medical works, of which nothing but the titles of two remain: Book for Doctors (Ἰατρικὸν βιβλίον) in 1 volume and On Prognoses (Περὶ προγνώσεων) in 2 volumes.[1]
He was blamed by Erasistratus for his excessive severity in restricting the quantity of drink allowed to his patients.[3] He is quoted by Plutarch[4] and Aulus Gellius[5] in the controversy that was maintained among some of the ancient physicians as to whether the drink passed down the windpipe or the gullet.
