A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Δέξιππος), called also Dioxippus, a physician of Cos, who was one of the pupils of the celebrated Hippocrates, and lived in the fourth century B. C. (Suid. s. v. Δέξιππος.) Hecatomnus, prince of Caria (B. C. 385-377), sent for him to cure his sons, Mausolus and Pixodarus, of a dangerous illness, which he undertook to do upon condition that Hecatomnus should cease from waging war against his country. (Suid. ibid.) He wrote some medical works, of which nothing but the titles remain. He was blamed by Erasistratus for his excessive severity in restricting the quantity of drink allowed to his patients. (Galen, De Secta Opt. 100.14, vol. i. p. 144; Comment. I. in Hippocr. "De Rat. Vict. in Morb. Acut." 100.24, Comment. l.c. 38 and Comment. IV. 100.5. vol. xv. pp. 478, 703, 744; De Venae Sect. adv. Erasistr. 100.9, vol. xi. p. 182.) IIe is quoted by Plutarch (Sympos. 7.1) and Aulus Gellius (17.11) in the controversv that awas maintained among some of the ancient physicians as to whether the drink passed down the windpipe or the gullet.

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