A HISTORY OF SCIENCE 



and was probably instructed in applying them, some- 

 thing in the same manner as is done now in all 

 modern armies. The Romans also made use of mili- 

 tary hospitals and had established a rude but very 

 practical field-ambulance service. " In every troop or 

 bandon of two or four hundred men, eight or ten stout 

 fellows were deputed to ride immediately behind the 

 fighting-line to pick up and rescue the wounded, for 

 which purpose their saddles had two stirrups on the 

 left side, while they themselves were provided with 

 water-flasks, and perhaps applied temporary bandages. 

 They were encouraged by a reward of a piece of gold 

 for each man they rescued. 'Noscomi' were male 

 nurses attached to the military hospitals, but not in- 

 scribed ' on strength ' of the legions, and were probably 

 for the most part of the servile class." 6 



From the time of the early Alexandrians, Herophilus 

 and Erasistratus, whose work we have already exam- 

 ined, there had been various anatomists of some im- 

 portance in the Alexandrian school, though none quite 

 equal to these earlier workers. The best-known names 

 are those of Celsus (of whom we have already spoken) , 

 who continued the work of anatomical investigation, 

 and Marinus, who lived during the reign of Nero, and 

 Rufus of Ephesus. Probably all of these would have 

 been better remembered by succeeding generations 

 had their efforts not been eclipsed by those of Galen. 

 This greatest of ancient anatomists was born at Per- 

 gamus of Greek parents. His father, Nicon, was an 

 architect and a man of considerable ability. Until his 

 fifteenth year the youthful Galen was instructed at 

 home, chiefly by his father ; but after that time he was 



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