Vesalius and the Human Body

Photo of human body systems courtesy 123rf.com

Today's topic, anatomy, was requested by amanie from Toronto, who is @amislife on Twitter.  

Hippocrates is considered to be the first medical scientist who studied human anatomy.  The Ancient Greek physician, Galen, wrote the definitive books on the human anatomy for that time.  During the Medieval Era dissection of human bodies wasn't done, and knowledge of human anatomy was gained through the work of the Ancient Greek physician Galen.  Medical students read Galen's works and dissected only animals.

Belgian physician Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) is considered the father of modern anatomical study, because he began dissecting human corpses given to him by the criminal courts of people who had been hanged on the gallows.  He discovered and wrote about the inaccuracies in Galen's writings about the human body.  For more information click here and click here.

There is an exhibition in New York, Las Vegas, and Atlanta called Bodies: The Exhibition.  It is described as "A milestone achievement for anatomy education...a celebration of the beautiful and amazing intricacies of the human form."  For the fabulous and informative website click here.

Thanks to amanie, @amislife on Twitter, for suggesting today's topic!  What did you learn today?

Who Was At The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece

Photo of U.K. stamp commemorating the 1948 London Olympics courtesy 123rf.com

Many famous people from all walks of life participated in the ancient Olympic Games including Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Demosthenes, Hippocrates, and other physicians, philosophers, musicians, artists, historians, poets, and more.  Married women were not allowed to attend the games until after Kallipateira the Pherenice taught her son the art of fighting and trained him for the games, where he won and she was discovered in attendance dressed as a man, and thereafter all women were allowed to attend.  For more information click here and click here.  What did you learn today?

The Surgeon's Chainsaw

Photo of antique surgical instruments courtesy 123rf.com

Surgeon Bernard Heine invented the chainsaw in 1830 to use in orthopedic surgery and brain surgery.  For more information click here and click here.  What did you learn today?

How Old Is Aspirin?

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People have been using the ingredients in the aspirin tablet as a pain reliever since 400 B.C.  For more information click here.  What did you learn today?

I Heard That!

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On this day in 1880 the first patent for electrical hearing aids was issued.  For more information click here.  What did you learn today?

Dead...Or Alive?

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In the 18th and 19th centuries, the possibility of being thought dead and then buried when not actually dead was widely feared, so much so that special coffins were built by many people.  These "safety-coffins" were equipped with breathing devices, keys that could unlock the casket from the inside, and devices that could inform observers that the buried coffin contained a living person.  For more information click here and click here.

What did you learn today?

Red Cross & Clara Barton

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I knew of many of Clara Barton's (1821-1912) contributions to nursing, but I didn't know:  she founded the Red Cross.  For more information click here.

Anesthesia Anniversary

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Inhaled ether officially began being used as anesthesia in surgery after William T. G. Morton demonstrated its use at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on this day in 1846.  For more information click here. 

What did you learn today?

Medieval Plague Masks

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The plague mask was probably designed in the 17th century by the doctor of  Louis XIII, Charles de Lorme.  In the beak was stored perfume and herbs to block what were perceived to be the poisonous vapors associated with the foul air caused by the decomposition of the bodies of Black Plague victims.

Click here or more information in this week's post by The Chirurgeon's Apprentice.

First X-ray in the United States

Photo courtesy Davidson College

On this day in 1896, the first x-ray was taken in the United States at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina.  The x-ray was of a human hand with a bullet in it.  Click here for more information.