Scribonius Largus

Scribonius Largus, born in the year one hundred, served as the esteemed court physician to the Roman emperor Claudius. His medical expertise was sought after by Gaius Julius Callistus, a freedman of the emperor, leading to the creation of a significant work known as the Compositiones around forty-seven AD. This compilation features two hundred seventy-one prescriptions, primarily authored by Largus himself, while also acknowledging the influence of his mentors, friends, and the writings of notable physicians of his time.

The Compositiones stands out not only for its practical content but also for its straightforward style, filled with colloquialisms. It has been recognized by Peter Suber as a precursor to the concept of Open Access in medical literature. This work is particularly valuable as it makes the earliest known reference to the Hippocratic oath, highlighting Largus's commitment to ethical medical practice.

In addition to his contributions to pharmacology, Largus is credited with an early description of peripheral nerve stimulation, utilizing shocks from electric fish to alleviate conditions such as gout and headaches. He was among the first Romans to document detailed instructions on the use of opium, addressing its applications for various ailments including dental pain, injuries, and colic, as well as outlining treatments for opium poisoning.

Despite the significance of his work, there remains some ambiguity regarding his identity, as an obscure Latin inscription referencing a