Acta Medico-Historica Adriatica最新文献

This editorial is dedicated to a commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci (Vinci near Florence, April 15, 1452 ‑ Cloux Castle, France, May 2, 1519) ‑ the greatest Renaissance artist and one of the greatest artists in general. From his invaluable artistic and scientific heritage, only a small part dedicated to the exploration of the Nature was selected for this occasion. In this part, according to many, the most significant place is dedicated to his anatomical drawings as a lasting testament to his interest in anatomy and medicine in general. Much has been said and written about this topic over the past 500 years. While searching through numerous bibliographic sources, several of the most impressive drawings have been selected for this occasion, with a few short reminiscences, which bear the most impressive testimony to the brilliant mind of the great Leonardo, rightfully called uomo universale.

Recently, the World Health Organization launched its Universal Health Coverage initiative with the aim to improve access to quality health care on a global level, without causing financial hardship to the patients. In this paper, we will identify and analyze the ideological similarities between this influential initiative and the work of one of the founders of the WHO-Andrija Štampar (1888-1958)-whose social medicine was built of various normative, sociological and philosophical elements. Our aim is to demonstrate the crucial role of carefully erected and thought-out ideology for the success of public health programs.

Due to the undeniable importance of medicine in human life, the authors explore the level of attentiveness given to medical topics since the beginnings of Croatian lexicography and encyclopaedistics in the 16th century until today. Specific emphasis is put on the activities of the Miroslav Krleža Institute of Lexicography, as the only Croatian institution which has been systematically involved in the field of lexicography and encyclopaedistics for almost 70 years. The representation and importance of medicine have been established in three ways. Firstly, by chronologically presenting medical terms and topics in the works of Croatian lexicography and encyclopaedistics from the 16th to the 19th century. Subsequently, by systemizing and analysing medical publications published in the 20th century, especially the ones created by the Institute. Lastly, by reviewing the presence of medical terms and topics in other Institute's publications, especially in the Croatian Encyclopaedia. The study shows that medicine has been well represented in Croatian lexicographic and encyclopaedic works, which have played a significant role in establishing Croatian medical terminology and adding to systematization of knowledge in the field of medicine. The authors conclude that lexicography and encyclopaedistics in Croatia have paid adequate attention to medical topics, as well as mirrored the interest of professional and broader community towards medicine.

The Spanish flu is a pandemic that was neglected even though it killed more people than World War I. At the end of 1918, newspaper reports are scarce due to war events, press cen-sorships, and burst political events. For decades after the epidemic was over, the Spanish flu was not the subject of scientific research. By analysing the entry from the registers of the six Neretva parishes (Borovci-Nova Selo, Desne-Bagalovići, Dobranje, Opuzen, Metkovic, Vidonje,and Vid), statistical data on the scale of the epidemic were reconstructed as well as the time course of the spread of the disease in the valley. The sex and age structure of the deceased were also analysed. The disease was spreading from Opuzen throughout the valley. The peak of the epidemic was in the second half of November and late December. The villages of the Desne and Vidonje were the most affected. Vid was also captured by the third wave in 1920, which was as deadly as that in 1918. The most affected were women, which fits in Croatian statistics. Comparing the timeline of epidemics in Zagreb and Neretva valley, it is visible that Zagreb was affected earlier by an epidemic. The third wave did not affect Zagreb as much as it did Neretva, especially the village of Vidonje. In these Neretva parishes, people under twenty were mostly affected. This deviates from the general rules and statistics of the Spanish flu, which stated that the most affected population was between the ages of twenty and forty. The article deals with data on the Spanish Neretva flu cases, while the number of infections remains unknown.

Helminthiasis is known to man since antiquity, but it still remains a significant public health problem. In ancient times many plants have been tried as possible therapeutics in search of an effective drug. This manuscript investigates ancient beliefs on parasitic worm infestation. Moreover, Alexander of Tralles' (525 - 605 CE) suggestions on the treatment of this condition are discussed as found in his lesser-known work "A letter on helminths", along with comments on the use of those herbal cures by modern medicine.

Introduction: Avicenna statedinteresting points on the symptoms of rib bone fractures, their physical examination, and also treatment and management of the complications in his master piece Canon in Tibb.

Method: We reviewed Avicenna's Canon and his viewpoints on the anatomy of the rib bones and their fractures and compared it with conventional medicine.

Result: He described the ana omy of the ribs; he explained the effectiveness of their structure in the prote tion of vital organs. He also suggested some methods for the management of rib fractures, such as using vacuum at the fracture site or open surgery in case of complications.

Conclusion: Avicenna's point of view on the approach toward rib fractures had some similarities and differences with conventional practice. Some of his suggestions could be taken into account.

Plague epidemics have remained in the collective consciousness until nowadays remembered as the deadliest. Therefore, it is not surprising that the answers to them throughout history have been not only medical but also religious. The previously mentioned will be analyzed in this paper through the cults of the protector saints against the plague epidemics that have developed in two Croatian cities of comparable size, Rijeka and Osijek, but with the diametrically opposed geographical positions and, accordingly, quite different historical developments. On the one hand, a more detailed overview of the development of the cults of various saints present in the mentioned cities will be presented. On the other hand, based on their presentation in the sacral heritage of these cities, the broader context of the time and space in which they have developed will be lightened. Particular attention will be paid to their medical connotations.

Zvonimir Maretić was the pioneer of the study of venomous animals and plants, toxicology, and tourism medicine. His achievements have been recognized, but insufficiently researched. His work covers a broad range of biomedical sciences: from public health, ecology, and environmental protection, to epidemiology and infectology. Maretić was one of the founding members of the International Society on Toxinology and the Toxicon journal's first Editorial Board. He was the first in Europe to prepare the antilatrodectic serum and to successfully apply the weever and scorpionfish antiserum on humans. This brief note tries to commemorate the achievements of Maretić, up to now poorly recognized and insufficiently researched.

In 1933 the Professors of Genoa School of Medicine V. Maragliano, GB. Cardinale, and A. Vallebona proposed to designate Saint Michael the Archangel as Patron Saint and Protector of Radiologists. The proposal of Italian radiology scientists was immediately accepted by colleagues with great enthusiasm. A petition was then sent to Pope Pius XII to obtain official recognition by the Catholic Church. The choice of the Holy Archangel Michael was argued by the Professors because he is the Saint who, in religious iconography, is the one who wears armor, is the guardian of paradise, and leads souls to God. Moreover, the Saint represents the triumph of the Light of Good against the darkness of evil. On January 15, 1941, the Sacred Congregation of Rites issued the decree that constituted: "Sanctus Michael, Archangelus pro radiologis et radiumtherapeuticis patronus et protector declaratus".