The manuscript aims to clarify the origins of Western rhinosurgery through the ancient texts of the greatest physicians of the past, up to the Byzantine Era, focusing on the “exchange of knowledge” ...between peoples. This excursus is carried out by quoting the texts of the greatest doctors of the past, such as Hippocrates, Galen and Celsus and by analysing the works of Byzantine authors such as Oribasius, Aetius, Antillus, which, more than others, represent the moment of fusion and interpenetration of Ancient Medical knowledge, paving the way for the Medieval Scholae Medicae in the West. The aim, therefore, is to fill that sort of "great gap" (from the foundation of Constantinople in the 4th century AD to the early Arab culture in the 11th century AD) due to the fact that figures such as Branca, Vianeo and, finally, Tagliacozzi, are considered direct actors of a recovery of the “ancient knowledge” of classic authors. This literature tends to less evaluate, instead, that important and huge cultural exchange -literally osmotic- in medical and surgical knowledge between peoples and civilizations, that find a
trait d'union
in the application of medical knowledge and surgical practical techniques matured in the Byzantine, Arab and Early Medieval period. In final analysis, through the History of Rhinosurgery, this paper aims to highlight how Western medical knowledge is made up of the ensemble of cultures which are apparently distant and different from each other, which merge themselves in a truly universal and transcultural knowledge: the Medical knowledge.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Summary King Ferrante I of Aragon, leading figure of the Italian Renaissance, died in 1494. The autopsy of his mummy revealed a tumor infiltrating the small pelvis. We examined the histologic and ...molecular features of this ancient tumor to investigate its primary origin. Hematoxylin-eosin, Van Gieson, and Alcian Blue staining showed neoplastic cells infiltrating muscular fibers and forming pseudo-glandular lumina disseminated in fibrous stroma with scarce mucus. A strong immunoreactivity of the neoplastic cells was shown for pancytokeratins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Molecular fingerprints were investigated by examining K-ras , BRAF , and microsatellite instability in ancient tumor DNA. Sequencing analysis showed G-to-A transition in codon 12 of K-ras. BRAF mutations and microsatellite instability were not observed. Because the presence of K-ras codon 12 mutation could be associated with exposure to chemical carcinogens, possibly present in some food items, paleodietary reconstruction of the King Ferrante I was carried out by carbon ( δ13 C ) and nitrogen ( δ15 N) stable isotopes analysis. δ13 C and δ15 N values found in bone collagen of the King were consistent with a massive intake of animal proteins. Overall, our data show that the tumor of Ferrante I was a mucinous adenocarcinoma with molecular fingerprints characteristic of colorectal carcinogenesis linked to K-ras pathway. Paleodietary reconstruction and historical chronicles indicate a strong consumption of meat by the King. The possible abundance of dietary carcinogens, related to meat consumption, could explain the K-ras mutation causing the colorectal tumor that killed Ferrante I more than 5 centuries ago.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Pediculosis seems to have afflicted humans since the most ancient times
and lice have been found in several ancient human remains. Examination
of the head hair and pubic hair of the artificial mummy ...of Ferdinand II
of Aragon (1467-1496), King of Naples, revealed a double infestation
with two different species of lice, Pediculus capitis, the head louse,
and Pthirus pubis, the pubic louse. The hair samples were also positive
for the presence of mercury, probably applied as an anti-pediculosis
therapy. This is the first time that these parasites have been found in
the hair of a king, demonstrating that even members of the wealthy
classes in the Renaissance were subject to louse infestation.
Despite the significant Italian tradition of important anatomical studies, an outdated law historically influenced by the Catholic church restricts the use of cadavers for teaching and scientific ...purposes. The object of the present paper was to trace the historical evolution of the Italian anatomical tradition, particularly neuroanatomical studies, in relation to the juridical regulations on the use of cadavers today. Special attention was paid to the opportunities offered to neurosurgery by using cadavers and to the scientific and social issues in neurosurgical training in the twenty-first century. Considering the new Common European Constitution, the authors advocate a political solution from the European community to improve the quality of training in the disciplines with a social impact such as neurosurgery.
Historical accounts of the earliest experiments in blood transfusion celebrate work done in France and England in 1667 to 1668. Less attention has been given to pioneering experiments conducted at ...the same period in Italy. We review records of the first blood transfusion experiments conducted in 17th century Italy. Using original source documents, we provide details of early experiments focusing on the identity of early researchers, their instruments, and techniques. Accounts of the period describe animal-to-animal, animal-to-human, and human-to-human transfusions. We highlight how transfusion was considered a new form of emergency surgery, carried out in order to save patients who could not be cured with traditional therapy of the time.
•Blood transfusion experiments were conducted in Italy between 1667 and 1668.•Guglielmo Riva and Paolo Manfredi were two Italian surgeons who performed early blood transfusion in humans.•In the 17th century, Francesco Folli developed a device to transfuse blood between two humans similar to what would be used in the 19th century.•Blood transfusion in 17th century Italy may be seen as the beginning of the emergency medicine.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The aim of the conference of which we are here publishing the proceedings, held in Rome at Sapienza-University in 2013, was to valorise the specific museological heritage of Italian Universities, in ...relation to analogous European and non-European Museums of Anatomy and Pathological Anatomy. A particular attention has been devoted to highlight the history of the origins and evolution of specific museological collections in order to focus reasons and circumstances of their foundation through the analysis of the signifcances, finctions and uses of anatomical parts or artifacts in different cultural contexts.
The first specific techniques and triages for medical resuscitation developed in the XVIII century, specifically to rescue the drowned persons. The topic of resuscitation in strictly connected to the ...theme of the apparent death, to the dread of the "buried alive", to the progress of forensic medicine and to the administrative and legislative policies. The contribute aims to focus on the contribution of the medical and pathologic nosology about the conception of the apparent death, read as asphyxia.
This paper deals with the literary debate on the first experiments regarding blood transfusion on human beings between 1667 and 1668 in Europe, with particular attention to the less-known ...experimental research, carried out in Italy. The authors examine the details of the experimental developments, focusing on the techniques and instruments used by physicians involved in this new surgical approach, with special attention to the Italian debate and experimentations. The article suggests that transfusion was considered a part of what we could call "emergency surgery". In this framework, Italian transfusional pioneers played a central role in the improvement and transmission of a discipline that was still in its dawning throughout Europe. Moreover, the manuscript highlights the contribution of the "chirurgia infusoria" as an innovative therapeutic system for an immediate and rapid recovery. From this perspective, blood transfusion represents a surgical practice for reanimation and resuscitation. The objective of this work was to analyze the importance of foreign literature and the English and French disputes presented by Davia in Italy, which made them known. Despite foreign prohibition in Italy, experiments with animal-to-human transfusions continued after 1648. A papal bull excommunicating scientists for conducting such research has never been found.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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