Medicine & Classics

As the world prepares for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, learn how the ancient Greeks prepared for their games in Olympia almost 3000 years ago. The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario brings back its popular community outreach lecture series starting March 5th, this time with a classical twist. "Medicine & Classics: Ancient History for the Medically Minded" will pair professors from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry with professors from the Department of Classical Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

The free lectures will explore the connections of ancient medicine and modern western practices. "It gives a cross-cultural perspective," says Dr. Christopher Brown, Chair of the Department of Classical Studies. "The ancient world is fundamental to the modern; we have our roots in antiquity. Health is relevant throughout time, and we can get a sense of what has changed, and what hasn't changed." Much of modern medicine is based on practices of Ancient Greece, an association which the series will build upon.

"Medicine & Classics" will be held Wednesday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Martha Bishop Room of the Landon Branch of the London Public Library (167 Wortley Road in Old South). Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis and no pre-registration required. For more information go to: www.schulich.uwo.ca/medicine&classics

March 5 The Great Plague of Athens and Pandemic Planning

Christopher Brown, PhD, Dept of Classical Studies & Bryna Warshawsky, MD, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit

March 12 Let the Games Begin: Training for the Ancient Olympics

Nigel Crowther, PhD, Dept of Classical Studies & Don Morrow, PhD, Faculty of Health Sciences

March 19 Images of Mental Illness

Aara Suksi, PhD, Dept of Classical Studies & Jean Theberge, PhD, Dept of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

March 26 Wandering Wombs and Prometheus' Immortal Liver: Ancient Greek Views on Anatomy and Physiology

Christopher Brown, PhD, Dept of Classical Studies & Marjorie Johnson, PhD, Dept of Anatomy and Cell Biology