Box 1. Definition of "apoplexy" in the Greco-Roman era.

Hippocrates. "Apoplexy" definition (not explicit) (De Morbis II): "Suddenly a healthy person is seized with head pain, immediately the voice fails, he snores, and the mouth is open (gapes), and if someone calls or moves, he only groans, nothing with meaning, gives (releases) copious urine, and does not perceive. If the fever does not seizes (appears), he dies in seven days. Because it seizes (comes), the health is generally spared".5 And: "Suddenly seized with pain to the head, immediately the voice fails, and he becomes incapacitated (powerless). Here, within seven days, unless the fever seizes, he dies. If the attack is strong".11

"Apoplexy" definition (explicit) (Aphorisms II-42): "It is impossible to remove a strong attack of apoplexy, and not easy to remove a weak attack".14

Galen. Definition (De loci affectis, Commentary on Hippocratic Aphorisms): "Apoplexy is an unconsciousness of the mind, with a privation of the senses and a palsy of the body." Also: "Apoplexy is a privation of sense and motion in all the nerves". And: "In apoplexy the whole body suddenly is deprived of sensation and motion, with only respiration remaining, and if it is prevented, the apoplexy is maximum and very severe".12,13