Last update:
   06-Jul-2004
 

Arch Hellen Med, 20(5), September-October 2003, 551-555

HISTORY OF MEDICINE

Legal regulations for the psychosocial rehabilitation of patients in Byzantium

N. THEOCHARAKIS,1 V. MAVREAS,1 D. DAMIGOS,1 A. EFTYCHIADIS,2 S. GEROULANOS3
1Department of Social Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina
2Department of History of Medicine, Medical School, University of Athens
3Department of History of Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Greece

According to Byzantine legislation the patient was protected. There were legal regulations for specific diseases and illnesses such as mania, paranoia, epilepsy, phrenitis. A provision was made for divorce in the event of chronic diseases and conditions such as leprosy, psychiatric diseases or inability to fulfill the sexual duties and in the case of abortion. Diseases were checked by the institution of the premarital medical examination. The basic characteristic of this period was the institution of administrator. There was also establishment of sections of the region and introduction of the system of touring doctors. Charity was legally ratified and the beneficence of the state and the church also played a significant role in the nursing of patients.

Key words: Byzantium, Legal regulations, Mental disorder, Rehabilitation.

© Archives of Hellenic Medicine