Celsus, Aulus Cornelius

Celsus, Aulus Cornelius, fl. A.D. 14, Latin encyclopedist. His only extant work, De re medicina, consists of eight books on medicine believed to have been written c.A.D. 30. He was not esteemed as a scientist in his time, but his was one of the first works to be rediscovered and printed (Florence, 1478) during the Renaissance and was very influential, largely because of its splendid Latin style. It was translated by James Grieve in 1756 and by W. G. Spencer in 1935. Celsus' first name is also written Aurelius.

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Celsus, Aulus Cornelius

(flourished 1st century AD) Roman medical writer. His famous treatise De medicina, a major source of knowledge of early medicine, shows that it was remarkably advanced, urging cleanliness and use of antiseptics, describing facial skin grafting, and stating the four cardinal signs of inflammation. The book's three parts discuss diseases requiring diet, drug, or surgical therapy.