32 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



heroes. They commanded a division of the Greek fleet in the Trojan War, 

 being the first doctor admirals on record. Machaon was one of the heroes 

 of the wooden horse, and is supposed to liave lost his life on that occasion. 

 After his death he received divine lionors, and a temple was erected in his 

 honor. (See pi. 5.) Cat. No. 143,510, U.S.N.M. 



The Hieron or sacred place at Epidaiirus. — This enclosure contained, besides 

 the temple for the worship of Aesculapius, a propylea or gateway, a gymnasium, 

 the abaton or sleeping place for tlie pilgrims, the tholos, a circular building 

 of which the uses are unknown, a stadium or race course, and several otlier 

 buildings of doubtful utility. These sacred places were usually located on 

 wooded slopes, or about medicinal springs. AVithin them no dying person 

 nor parturient woman was allowed to remain. The temples erected to 

 Aesculapius were not only places for worsliip by prayers, sacrifices, etc., but 

 also places wliere the sick could make personal application to the divine 

 l)hysician for counsel or cure. Tlie ceremonies were under the direction of 



W 



H-v^ 



OUTLINE RESTORATION 



Of SOME Of THE 



PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS 



of THt 



f^ HIERON-EPIDAURUS 





Fig. 20. — The IIiEiiOX or Sacred Place at Epidaurus. Outline Restoration. 



a priestliood called Asclepiads, supposed descendants of Aesculapius. Tlie 

 treatment of the sick was almost exclusively psychic, or mind medicine. It 

 was begun with ablutions, prolonged fastings, prayers, and sacrifices, accom- 

 panied with elaborate ceremonials calculated to excite the imagination and 

 inspire hope. After these preparations the patient was put to sleep in the 

 " abaton," and in the dreams which followed the god was supposed to appear 

 and indicate the proper remedy for the disease. The patient was aided in the 

 interpretation of the dream by the priest. If the treatment was successful 

 the case was recorded upon stone or metal columns or tablets, for the in- 

 formation of others. Metal or ivory models of the part affected were hung on 

 the walls of the temple, as is the custom in many countries at the present 

 day. (See fig. 20 and pi. 5.) Cat. Nos. 143,517 and 143,518 U.S.N.M. 



Statue of Aesculapius. — The statue of Aesculapius shown in Figure 21 was 

 made of ivory and gold, by- the sculptor Thrasymedes. It represents a hand- 

 some figure seated on a throne, holding in one liand a staff, the other hand 



