fl. second century A.D.

Greek physician who was for centuries regarded as the leading authority on gynecology, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Supposed sixteenth-century innovations such as the obstetric chair and podalic version (delivery of the fetus feet first), were first described by Soranus, who also authored works on embryology, hygiene, pharmacology, chronic and acute diseases, surgery, and bandaging. Soranus belonged to the methodist school of medicine, viewing health and disease as a function of three possible states of the fine pores of the body: excessive constriction, excessive relaxation, or a mixture of the two.