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The origin of the Asclepius (medical symbol)
13 years ago
DUDE. This is both horrifying and intriguing at the same time.
The nematode (parasitic worm) Dracunculus medinensis can be found in various countries worldwide (including the USA). It can infect humans and animals from the ingestion of contaminated water. The female of the species migrates from the intestines to the skin (of the hands or feet usually) where it forms nasty boils. These lesions rupture upon contact with water, sending off larva into the H2O supply to infect other animals and continue the life cycle. There is no treatment except to remove the worm manually, which can grow to be several feet in length. Traditionally, this was done by winding the worm around a rod/stick... and hence the medical symbol of the Asclepius was immortalized as the symbol for the medical profession
Image of the Rod of Asclepius:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped....._life2.svg.png
more info on Dracunculus:
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/Dr.....unculiasis.htm
I don't know why odd stuff like this fascinates me. Srsly.
//edit: There appears to be some confusion between the Asclepius and Caduceus. Both are used in medicine today, and there is ongoing debate as to which is more appropriate.
Asclepius symbol: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped....._life2.svg.png
Caduceus symbol: http://drblayney.com/images/caduceus%5B2%5D.jpg
Despite the unequivocal claim of the staff of Asclepius to represent medicine (and healing), the caduceus, a rod with two entwined serpents topped by a pair of wings appears to be the more popular symbol of medicine in the United States, probably due to simple confusion between the caduceus and the staff of Asclepius, the true symbol of medicine. Many people use the word caduceus to mean both of these emblems.
Taken from http://drblayney.com/Asclepius.html
The nematode (parasitic worm) Dracunculus medinensis can be found in various countries worldwide (including the USA). It can infect humans and animals from the ingestion of contaminated water. The female of the species migrates from the intestines to the skin (of the hands or feet usually) where it forms nasty boils. These lesions rupture upon contact with water, sending off larva into the H2O supply to infect other animals and continue the life cycle. There is no treatment except to remove the worm manually, which can grow to be several feet in length. Traditionally, this was done by winding the worm around a rod/stick... and hence the medical symbol of the Asclepius was immortalized as the symbol for the medical profession
Image of the Rod of Asclepius:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped....._life2.svg.png
more info on Dracunculus:
http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/Dr.....unculiasis.htm
I don't know why odd stuff like this fascinates me. Srsly.
//edit: There appears to be some confusion between the Asclepius and Caduceus. Both are used in medicine today, and there is ongoing debate as to which is more appropriate.
Asclepius symbol: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped....._life2.svg.png
Caduceus symbol: http://drblayney.com/images/caduceus%5B2%5D.jpg
Despite the unequivocal claim of the staff of Asclepius to represent medicine (and healing), the caduceus, a rod with two entwined serpents topped by a pair of wings appears to be the more popular symbol of medicine in the United States, probably due to simple confusion between the caduceus and the staff of Asclepius, the true symbol of medicine. Many people use the word caduceus to mean both of these emblems.
Taken from http://drblayney.com/Asclepius.html
luckily the world health organization and un are working to eliminate dracunculus!
The issue of which symbol is most correct continues to be discussed among certain groups. Some have suggested that while the rod of Asclepius is historically the correct symbol for medicine, in today's commercialized healthcare system the caduceus may be more accurate. Interestingly a survey conducted in the US found that 62% of healthcare professionals used the rod of Asclepius, while 76% of commercial healthcare organizations used the caduceus of Hermes.
We use the Asclepius at my school, but both are correct.
Vets tend to use the Asclepius, which is why I see it more commonly I think.
veterinary symbol: http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/i...../avma_logo.gif
http://www.crystalinks.com/caduceus.png
Both are used as symbols of the medical profession, it just depends what country you are in as to which you will see more frequently. There is an ongoing debate on which should be used and the origins.
http://drblayney.com/Asclepius.html
THE MORE YOU KNOW
http://harrisonreedpa.wordpress.com.....t-of-a-lineup/
cool site: http://drblayney.com/Asclepius.html