Marianna Karamanou

Aretaeus of Cappadocia and the first description of diabetes

The name Aretaeus of Cappadocia has been linked with diabetes more than that of any other physician of antiquity, his texts forming a sophisticated synthesis of the previous knowledge on this disease copiously supplemented by his own observations. Gifted with a unique faculty for observing pathologic phenomena, he was able to elaborate upon earlier texts enriching them with his own original findings and numerous thoughtful reflections. Among the many diseases he dealt with, Aretaeus has bequeathed to us an outstandingly vivid and accurate description of diabetes.

A unique representation of hypospadias in ancient Greek art

Hypospadias, a congenital defect in the development of the penis and urethra, was well-described in ancient Greek medical literature.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723): Father of micromorphology and discoverer of spermatozoa

The Dutch merchant and naturalist Anton van Leeuwenhoek is considered to be the father of optic microscopy and the precursor of bacteriology. Among others, he discovered and studied the spermatozoon.

Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier (1743–1794) and the birth of respiratory physiology

Background For more than 1500 years, the status of knowledge concerning the physiology of human respiration has remained almost unchanged. In the 18th century, the French chemist Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier conducted breathing experiments on human and animal respiration. Methods The main bibliographic sources concerning Lavoisiers life and work on respiration have been investigated and analysed. Results Using an ice-calorimeter, Lavoisier proved that combustion and respiration were one and the same. He also measured the oxygen consumed during respiration and concluded that the amount changes depending on human activities: exercise, eating, fasting, and sitting in a warm or cold room. Moreover, he found variations in pulse and breathing rate. Conclusions Lavoisiers work on respiration is of great historical significance as it represents the first effort to measure human respiratory gas metabolism contributing significantly to the development of respiratory physiology.

Hippocrates on Pediatric Dermatology

Hippocrates of Kos is well known in medicine, but his contributions to pediatric dermatology have not previously been examined. A systematic study of Corpus Hippocraticum was undertaken to document references of clinical and historical importance of pediatric dermatology. In Corpus Hippocraticum, a variety of skin diseases are described, along with proposed treatments. Hippocrates rejected the theory of the punishment of the Greek gods and supported the concept that dermatologic diseases resulted from a loss of balance in the body humors. Many of the terms that Hippocrates and his pupils used are still being used today. Moreover, he probably provided one of the first descriptions of skin findings in smallpox, Henoch–Schönlein purpura (also known as anaphylactoid purpura, purpura rheumatica, allergic purpura), and meningococcal septicemia.

Apollinaire Bouchardat (1806-1886): founder of modern Diabetology.

Apollinaire Bouchardat is regarded as the founder of the field of Diabetology. His contributions to the field include the first known recommendations for specific diets for the management of Diabetes Mellitus and his emphasis on patient education and self-monitoring. He was moreover a great pharmacist as well as a distinguished physician and biochemist.

Joseph Gensoul and the earliest illustrated operations for maxillary sinus carcinoma

Surgery has evolved along with anatomical illustrations through the ages. Joseph Gensoul (1797–1858), an important figure of the great Lyonnaise medical tradition of the 19th century, was occupied with many different surgical diseases, mostly diseases of the face. Apart from his many contributions stand various techniques on ophthalmological, otorhinolaryngological and oral and maxillofacial surgery. In this context, two rare illustrations depicting an innovative facial surgical operation performed by the great surgeon Joseph Gensoul are thoroughly analyzed. The two illustrations represent the “before” and “after” phases of Gensoul’s most eminent operation, most probably practiced for a maxillary sinus carcinoma. This surgical operation is probably the earliest recorded of its kind in the history of surgery, even though the development of maxillary surgery is connected with the practice of Irwin Moure, who also practiced a type of lateral rhinotomy about a century later than Gensoul. Surgical illustrations are closely related to the history of surgery in every corner of the world.

Queen Cleopatra and the other ‘Cleopatras’: their medical legacy

Cleopatra is a female figure widespread in Greece (especially in Macedonian territory), Egypt and Syria during the Hellenistic era. Ancient women doctors bearing the name Cleopatra have been identified by a systematic search through the ancient Greek, Latin and Egyptian bibliography, including original resources from the first century BC. Fictional and non-fictional figures have been distinguished and their works identified. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, Galen’s physician assistant, the outcast Metrodora, Cleopatra the Alchemist and Cleopatra the Gynaecologist deliver a story of medicine and name-giving that confuses researchers of the past and intrigues those of the present.

Practising obstetrics in the 17th century: François Mauriceau (1637-1709).

In 17th century France, the practice of obstetrics passed from female midwives to medical men called accoucheurs. François Mauriceau, a prominent French obstetrician of the 17th century urged the need of an organised obstetrical education, emphasising anatomy. He invented the semi-recumbent or ‘French’ birthing position, the ‘tire-tête’ forceps, the ‘Mauriceau manoeuvre’ in breech delivery, and provided one of the first epidemiological analyses in obstetrics contributing enormously to the development of this specialty. His best-seller, Traité des maladies des femmes grosses revolutionised the practice of obstetrics.

Hallmarks in the study of respiratory physiology and the crucial role of Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier (1743–1794)

From the early 17th century the advent of physical and chemical sciences developed two important movements toward the explanation of all vital phenomena: the Iatrochemical and Iatromechanical Schools. The important research of their representatives such as Jan Baptist van Helmont, John Mayow, Robert Boyle, Gian Alfonso Borelli, Richard Lower, and Albrecht von Haller, followed by the discovery of the atmospheric gases, provided a fecund soil for the leading work of Lavoisier in respiratory physiology.