Georgios Androutsos

Ambroise Paré (1510-1590) and His Innovative Work on the Treatment of War Injuries

The purpose of this study is to summarize the innovations of Ambroise Paré (1510-1590) on the treatment of war wounds and improving amputation technique through ligature in arteries and veins. Ambroise Paré debunked the widely accepted idea that gun powder was poisonous for wounds. He also minimized the use of cautery of wounds by his dressing methods and the application of ligature during amputations. All these innovative rationales revolutionized the practice of war surgery during the Renaissance and paved the way for the introduction of modern surgery. Nevertheless, although his wound dressing innovations became widely accepted, the same did not happen with ligature and amputation; those techniques could become widely applicable if one could somehow control bleeding until the blood vessels had been tied. This became possible much later in the 18th century when Jean Louis Petit invented the first useful and efficient tourniquet.

A Cranial Trauma was the Cause of Death of Charles VIII of France (1470–1498)

This article summarizes the reign, life and death, of Charles VIII of France. Also we intend to investigate current views on his cause of death, contradictions and opinions of his biographers. Poisoning, disease, and injury are the possible causes of his death but, according to the literature, cranial trauma was the most probable cause of death of the King Charles VIII of France.

Charles Estienne (1504–1564): His Life, Work, and Contribution to Anatomy and the First Description of the Canal in the Spinal Cord

The purpose of this historic review is to summarize the life, work, and contribution to anatomy of Charles Estienne (also known by the Latin name Carolus Stephanus). Charles Estienne was an early exponent of the science of anatomy in France. Although he remained under the influence of the Galenic tradition of medicine, anatomy, and surgery throughout his distinguished career, he had a significant influence on the scientific revolution and anatomy reformation of the 16th century. Nevertheless, he cannot be placed at the same level of contribution as Vesalius, because of his lack of discipline in his work, hesitation to diverge totally from traditional beliefs, and his hesitation for a total criticism of the Galenic tradition.

Gerard Blaes (Blasius) (1627-1682): The Dutch Physician and Chemist, his Work and his Description of the Spinal Cord

In this historical review we summarize the work of the Dutch physician, chemist, and anatomist Gerard Blaes (Blasius). A detailed account of his life and work is presented with emphasis on his contribution to anatomy. In particular, special reference is made to his innovative description of the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Blasiuss contributions to neuroanatomy are remarkable when taking into account the limited technology of his era. As a true man of his era, he made significant contributions in research and teaching of anatomy, botany, and chemistry. He published a detailed description of the spinal cord with its gray and white matter and the spinal nerve roots, which significantly increased the knowledge of neuroanatomy in his era. He also is considered one of the founders of comparative anatomy through his work in both humans and animals.

The first Anatomy professors in the Medical School of the University of Athens

The purpose of this historical review is to add new elements to the international literature in relation to the birth and progress of the science of anatomy in modern Greece. Step by step, it outlines the efforts of prominent Greek anatomists to establish the course of the basic science of anatomy in the newly founded Medical School, the laborious effort to collect cadaveric material to compile museum anatomical collections and to gradually build the foundations of modern anatomy science at the Medical School of the Athenian University.

Apollonius of Citium (first century BC) and his work on the treatment of joint dislocations

The purpose of this study was to summarise the life and work of the Cypriot physician Apollonius of Citium (first century BC). His overall work on medicine is presented, and special emphasis is given to his work on the treatment of joint dislocations. The most famous work of Apollonius is Treatise On Joints, which was preserved on the whole in a manuscript of the tenth century AD. In that manuscript, Apollonius is obviously influenced by the Hippocratic Corpus of Medicine. His description, diagnostic methods and reduction techniques are all based on those described by Hippocrates in his work “On Joints”. Apollonius’ contribution to this subject concerns accurate depiction in images of the reduction techniques he proposes. His simplifications describe the techniques of Hippocrates in a way they can be understood and used by athletes and nonphysicians in the Greek gymnasia. Perhaps his treatise is one of the earliest works of popularised medicine and surgery in the history of human civilisation.

Correction to: Ambroise Paré (1510–1590): on the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder dislocations

The original version of this article was revised: The published online version contain mistake in author list. The corrected name is shown above.

Jean-Louis Petit (1674–1750): a pioneer anatomist and surgeon and his contribution to orthopaedic surgery and trauma surgery

PurposeThe purpose of this review is to summarize the life and work of Jean-Louis Petit, his inventions, his discoveries, and his impact on the evolution of surgery of his era.MethodA thorough search of the literature was undertaken in PubMed and Google Scholar as well as in physical books in libraries to summarize current and classic literature on Petit.ResultsJean-Louis Petit (1674–1750) was an eminent anatomist and surgeon of his era with an invaluable contribution to clinical knowledge, surgical technique, and instrumentation as well as innovative therapeutic modalities and basic scientific discoveries.ConclusionJean-Louis Petit was an innovative anatomist and surgeon as well as an excellent clinician of his era. He revolutionized the surgical technique of his era with a significant contribution to what would later become orthopaedic surgery.

Pycnodysostosis: the disease of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Pycnodysostosis or Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome is a genotypic bone disorder, with autosomal recessive inheritance, individualized by Lamy and Maroteaux in 1962. It is characterized by diffuse condensation of the skeleton with thickening of the cortex and narrowing of the medullary cavity. This condensation is reminiscent of the one observed in Albers-Schönberg disease, which differs essentially in dysmorphism of the skull (no closure of fontanelles, gaping sutures, hypoplasia of the lower jaw with open mandibular angle) and extremities (hypoplasia or osteolysis of the phalanges). The patients have a short stature, short hands and feet, and malformed nails. The first scientifically correct diagnosis was made by Dr. G. Séjournet who, under the guidance of his teacher Professor J.-A. Lièvre, performed extensive research and diagnosed Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec with achondroplasia-related dwarfism. This article describes pycnodysostosis and reports the life of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec who died from the disease.

The death of the Byzantine Emperor John II Komnenos (1087–1143)

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study is to give a brief account of the life of John II Komnenos, his reign and to clarify the events and causes surrounding his death. Methods: A thorough search of the literature was undertaken in PubMed and Google Scholar as well as in history books through the internet and in History and Medical University libraries. Results: The death of the king cannot be attributed to poisoning from an injured hand by arrow poison. The long period of time before the presentation of symptoms should be attributed to their being caused by an infection. The failure of both conservative anti-inflammatory treatment and surgical drainage point towards an anaerobic infection or a septic inflammation. Conclusion: The death of the emperor John Komnenos was caused by a severe infection of the hand of unknown agent leading to septicaemia. This conclusion is based on the fact that death came a week or more after the injury of the hand and it was not caused by the poison of the arrow which would have been fatal within several hours.