Mythology and rational explanation in the history of medicine The case of molar pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To analyse own set of molar pregnancies and to develop clinically relevant procedures.

TYPE OF STUDY

Historical article based on the analysis of Greek classic medicine.

SETTINGS

History of Medicine Unit; Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies; Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy; Unit of Medical Humanities; Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health; University of Padua, Italy.

INTRODUCTION

Molar pregnancy is a specific kind of gestational trophoblastic disease which originates from the placenta. There are two types of molar pregnancy, complete and partial. Complete molar pregnancy derives from a defect in maternal eggs, while an incomplete one derives from a defecting fertilization by paternal sperm. Historical analysis: Molar pregnancy drawn the attention of ancient physicians from the classic period and they widely discussed maternal and paternal roles in causing this condition. Classic doctors drawn from mythology several suggestions and ideas, which indicates that the issue of normal and abnormal conception was a crucial problem since the most ancient past Conclusion: Current scientific studies on molar pregnancy are free from ancient prejudices about male and female “nature” and their reciprocal role in embryogenesis. However, an awareness of the cultural biases that could drive scientific researches, might be useful for scientists and physicians even today.

Notes from the Field: Teaching the History of Epidemics in the Midst of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Teaching the history of epidemics remains a critical mission of our profession, both inside and outside of the classroom. Charles E. Rosenberg's "dramaturgical model" of epidemic response endures as a useful and flexible heuristic. Through guided discussion of the dramaturgical model, students can develop a shared vocabulary and a working theory of epidemic responses through time. Students can apply the model, then revise and refine it for themselves through writing assignments and careful comparisons of epidemics in different times, places, and populations. Special consideration must be given to teaching the history of epidemics during the present SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Capturing Racial Pathology: American Medical Photography in the Era of Jim Crow

This article focuses on the untapped, complicated, fragile, and fluid visual archives of the elite White surgeon Rudolph Matas, a large proportion of which was produced during the late 19th and early 20th century, a time when he was a resident at New Orleans' Charity Hospital in Louisiana and a professor of general and clinical surgery at Tulane University's Medical Department. The article's main aim is to understand the role of visual materials in the production, uses, circulation, and impact of a form of knowledge that Matas termed "racial pathology." A small but representative sample of visual materials from the Matas collection are placed in context and examined in order to make known this untold chapter from the life story of "one of the great pioneers" in American surgery. The article reveals that many of the photographs were most significant in having been produced and assembled in parallel with the making, publication, dissemination, reception, and use of Matas' racialized medical research, in particular his influential 1896 pamphlet, The Surgical Peculiarities of the American Negro.

Thessaly and medicine from ancient Greek mythology to contemporary times: a perpetual relationship

The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the connection between Thessaly and the development of medicine from ancient Greek mythology to contemporary times. From Chiron to Asclepius, from Asclepius to Hippocrates, and from Hippocrates to the true Hippocratic epidemiologist Dimitrios Trichopoulos, a plethora of myths and facts indicate the strong and perpetual alignment between Thessaly and the science of medicine.

The Influence of Gondeshapur Medicine during the Sassanid Dynasty and the Early Islamic Period

The development of the most active period of Persian medicine occurred in the ancient city of Gondeshapur, between the third and seventh centuries. Rebuilt between 256 and 260 by Shapur I, the second Sassanid monarch, Gondeshapur is said to have welcomed the first hospital and the consequent study of medicine, mainly based on the Greek system. It has also been mentioned that these teachings would be expanded by his successor, Shapur II. However, both statements need solid confirmation. Nestorian priests-professors and other academics expelled from the Byzantine Empire gave fundamental encouragement to cultural and medical development in Gondeshapur. With Khosrow I, Gondeshapur became a cosmopolitan city with studies of medicine, philosophy, eloquence, and music. The medical studies were conducted in an academic setting, and practiced in a hospital, with the documentary support of a library which would be provided with the main texts, mainly of Greek, Syrian, and Indian origin. The Byzantine-inspired hospital system of Gondeshapur with its own management, organic system, and differentiated personnel, was later reproduced in several cities of the Middle East and medieval Europe under Islamic rule. The academic prestige and functionality of Gondeshapur, which peaked in the seventh century, began to decline in the following centuries apparently due to the creation of similar intellectual and hospital centres in Baghdad, by the Caliph al-Mansur, and the subsequent transfer of doctors, technicians, professors and other personnel from Gondeshapur, to ensure there the operation of hospitals and also medical studies. This cultural policy was continued and expanded by al-Mansur successors, in particular by the Caliph al-Ma'mun, until the tenth century.

[From instrument to technological medicine; the medal collection of the Dutch Journal of Medicine]

The Dutch Journal of Medicine holds a unique and comprehensive collection of commemorative medals. In the autumn of 2018, the journal arranged an online exhibition to display an extensive part of the collection and incorporated these objects into a wider historical context. This article presents a description of part ofthe web exhibition. In the light of Willem Einthoven's (1860-1927) work, we argue that around 1900 the first signs of technological medicine were becoming apparent. By focusing on a small number of medals, in this article we describe how the increasing importance of applied technology in medicine is reflected in the self-representation of the medical specialties that were beginning to emerge during the same period.

[18th Scientific conference Rijeka and its citizens in Medical History, November 9, 2018]

Scientific conference Rijeka and its citizens in Medical History as an 18th conference was met on November 9, 2018. Organized by the Croatian Scientific Society for the History of Health Culture, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine and the State Archives in Rijeka. The eighteenth conference was held at the exhibition hall of the last, but not least organizer. The initiator of the gathering and the president of the Society prof. Ante Škrobonja with several introductory words about the long tradition of the gathering, as well as the Society, met the present with their total work and present the conference with 20 presentations held by authors from Croatia and neighbouring countries like Slovenia and Serbia. Nine presentations with specific themes about medical history in Rijeka, and 11 presentations wider spectre.

History of Pulmonary Surfactant Replacement Therapy for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Korea

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a disease that is unique to newborn infants. It is caused by a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant (PS), which is usually ready to be activated around the perinatal period. Until RDS was more clearly understood, it was not known why premature infants died from respiratory failure, although pathology revealed hyaline membranes in the alveoli. Surprisingly, the era of PS replacement therapy began only relatively recently. The first clinical trial investigating neonatal RDS was conducted in 1980. Since then, newborn survival has improved dramatically, which has led to significant advances in the field of neonatology. The present comprehensive review addresses PS, from its discovery to the application of artificial PS in newborns with RDS. It also reviews the history of PS in Korea, including its introduction, various commercial products, present and past research, newborn registries, and health insurance issues. Finally, it describes the inception of the Korean Society of Neonatology and future directions of research and treatment.

[Lab coats, scalpels, and the art of politics]

The article analyzes the social and historical conditions of the development of medicine as a space for professional activity and domination of a specific occupational field in the state of Sergipe, from the early decades of the twentieth century to the 1960s. One of the main findings is that the process of consolidation in medicine should be understood as part of the changes that guided the restructuring of local agrarian elites to avoid their own decline. The strong rivalry produced within this kinship and consequent fragmentation resulting from conflict led to the expansion of ties and specific targeting for the connections produced in the professional world.

Iran in transition

Being the second-largest country in the Middle East, Iran has a long history of civilisation during which several dynasties have been overthrown and established and health-related structures have been reorganised. Iran has had the replacement of traditional practices with modern medical treatments, emergence of multiple pioneer scientists and physicians with great contributions to the advancement of science, environmental and ecological changes in addition to large-scale natural disasters, epidemics of multiple communicable diseases, and the shift towards non-communicable diseases in recent decades. Given the lessons learnt from political instabilities in the past centuries and the approaches undertaken to overcome health challenges at the time, Iran has emerged as it is today. Iran is now a country with a population exceeding 80 million, mainly inhabiting urban regions, and has an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, malignancies, mental disorders, substance abuse, and road injuries.

Robert Bárány, a scientist with many interests

Austrian-born Robert Bárány was a scientist with many interests. This article highlights some of these interests and also some personal traits. He enrolled as a surgeon in World War I, was captured by the Russians in 1915 and, while still in the prison camp, was awarded the 1914 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work in otology. In 1916, he accepted an offer from Uppsala University, Sweden, and worked there for almost 20 years. He died shortly before his 60th birthday, in 1936.

Artifacts of the neurosciences: A resource guide to museums and collections

Medical museums and collections care for important artifacts relating to the history of the neurosciences across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. This essay highlights the collections and galleries of greatest interest and worth a visit. It also provides a list of online directories of medical museums and bibliography of related publications.