L’AMBULATORIO DEL MEDICO ANTICO: UNA RICOGNIZIONE DELLE FONTI LETTERARIE*

Abstract

Ancient physicians usually visited patients at home, bringing with them the necessary instruments and medicaments
for the therapy. Nonetheless, some ancient medical sources attest an increasing interest in the
preparation of the surgery (ἰατρεῖον) in the private house of physicians. In this paper, I will critically analyze
the text of those literary sources describing different features of the ancient medical clinic: light and air
streams, noises and smells, beds and chairs, furniture, decorations, and hygiene. Along with literary sources,
we find evidence of a particular care in organizing doctors’ surgeries in some archeological discoveries as
well.