<P> The earliest known Greek medical school opened in Cnidus in 700 BC . Alcmaeon, author of the first anatomical compilation, worked at this school, and it was here that the practice of observing patients was established . Despite their known respect for Egyptian medicine, attempts to discern any particular influence on Greek practice at this early time have not been dramatically successful because of the lack of sources and the challenge of understanding ancient medical terminology . It is clear, however, that the Greeks imported Egyptian substances into their pharmacopoeia, and the influence became more pronounced after the establishment of a school of Greek medicine in Alexandria . </P> <P> Asclepius was espoused as the first physician, and myth placed him as the son of Apollo . Temples dedicated to the healer - god Asclepius, known as Asclepieia (Greek: Ἀσκληπιεῖα; sing . Ἀσκληπιεῖον Asclepieion), functioned as centers of medical advice, prognosis, and healing . At these shrines, patients would enter a dream - like state of induced sleep known as "enkoimesis" (Greek: ἐγκοίμησις) not unlike anesthesia, in which they either received guidance from the deity in a dream or were cured by surgery . Asclepeia provided carefully controlled spaces conducive to healing and fulfilled several of the requirements of institutions created for healing . The Temple of Asclepius in Pergamum had a spring that flowed down into an underground room in the Temple . People would come to drink the waters and to bathe in them because they were believed to have medicinal properties . Mud baths and hot teas such as chamomile were used to calm them or peppermint tea to soothe their headaches, which is still a home remedy used by many today . The patients were encouraged to sleep in the facilities too . Their dreams were interpreted by the doctors and their symptoms were then reviewed . Dogs would occasionally be brought in to lick open wounds for assistance in their healing . In the Asclepieion of Epidaurus, three large marble boards dated to 350 BC preserve the names, case histories, complaints, and cures of about 70 patients who came to the temple with a problem and shed it there . Some of the surgical cures listed, such as the opening of an abdominal abscess or the removal of traumatic foreign material, are realistic enough to have taken place, but with the patient in a state of enkoimesis induced with the help of soporific substances such as opium . </P> <P> The Rod of Asclepius is a universal symbol for medicine to this day . However, it is frequently confused with Caduceus, which was a staff wielded by the god Hermes . The Rod of Asclepius embodies one snake with no wings whereas Caduceus is represented by two snakes and a pair of wings depicting the swiftness of Hermes . </P> <P> Ancient Greek physicians regarded disease as being of supernatural origin, brought about from the dissatisfaction of the gods or from demonic possession . The fault of the ailment was placed on the patient and the role of the physician was to conciliate with the gods or exorcise the demon with prayers, spells, and sacrifices . </P>

Which concept originated in greek civilization and influence how