title: [A short history of thrombosis:  concepts and therapies from ancient to modern times].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Historians of thrombosis usually cover a period from mid-19th to late 20th century, thus highlighting the era of scientific progress. The present study, however, follows history farther back to its earlier stages which harbour crucial elements for understanding later epochs and the present-day state of the art.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant primary sources and secondary material as well as selected illustrations were identified and interpreted in their historical context.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early concepts drew upon the doctrine passed on by the Greeks that thrombosis originated form "metastases" formed by phlegm and black bile. Whereas scholars of the Middle Ages concerned themselves with haematoscopy as a "prototype" of diagnostic investigation, those of early modern times focused on mechanistic and morphological factors when formulating aetiological concepts of thrombosis and embolism. With Rudolf Virchow and his consolidated findings the modern age of positivist research began. During the following era of technological progress, new and scientifically tested treatments as well as prophylactic interventions replaced empirically based cures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The history of thrombosis is characterized by a multitude of different paradigms. Time will tell if innovative therapeutic strategies developed during the last two decades will lead to the next important paradigm change.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Universität zu Köln. ajg02@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karenberg
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000266:history*; D005060:Europe; D005858:Germany; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008374:Manuscripts, Medical as Topic / Q000266:history*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical / Q000266:history*; D012106:Research / Q000266:history*; D013812:Therapeutics / Q000266:history*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants