[The worlds of gods in medicine]. / Götterwelten in der Heilkunde.

BACKGROUND: A number of designations for diseases, medicines and human body structures derive from classical mythology. To date, these eponyms have not been systematically investigated. OBJECTIVES: This paper provides an overview of this fringe component of medical vocabulary, looks at the history of several terms and formulates hypotheses as to why such creative etymologies have come into being. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In addition to relevant texts on ancient mythology, a variety of medical textbooks from the early modern period were analyzed. RESULTS: Between the 16th and the 20th centuries some 30 figures from Greek and Roman literature made their way into the terminology of medical sciences. A few of these expressions can be encountered in clinical use (e. g., Caput Medusae, Proteus, Oedipus complex) and remain official anatomical (atlas, Achilles tendon) or pharmaceutical nomenclature (atropine, morphine). The choice of these designations has often been similarity of form or analogies in function. Classical eponyms have gained acceptance on account of their succinctness, conciseness and scholarly veneer. Finally, this vocabulary shares its origin with other relevant terminology. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical classes, mythological designations can serve as a point of departure for digressions into literary, art and medical history in order to provide an understanding of cultural traditions and enhance education.

[Mining analysis on composition and medication of menstruation prescriptions in Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology].

In this paper, menstruation prescriptions were selected from "Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology" and analyzed by using GRI algorithm, correlation analysis, hierarchical clustering method through SPSS, Clementine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inheritance auxiliary systems, in order to screen out 15 menopathy prescriptions, which involve 45 traditional Chinese medicine herbs. In the study, blood-tonifying and qi-tonifying herbs were found to be frequent in the prescriptions. The most frequent single herb was white paeony root, accounting for 9.6% in the total number of prescriptions; The most frequent herb pairs were white paeony root-radix rehmanniae preparata and paeony root-angelica sinensis. Among Fu Shan's menopathy prescriptions, 61 herbal pairs showed a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.05, which evolved into 16 pairs of core combinations. The analysis showed that menopathy prescriptions in volume 1 of "Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology" focused on tonic traditional Chinese medicines involving liver, spleen and kidney and were adjusted according to changes in qi, blood, cold, hot and wet, which could provide a specific reference for further studies on Fu Shan's academic thoughts and traditional Chinese medicine clinical treatment of menopathy.

[Study on incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines].

The incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines is related to the clinical medication safety, so has attracted wide attentions from the public. With the deepening of studies on the incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines represented by 18 incompatible herbs, the incompatibility of theory traditional Chinese medicines has raised to new heights. From the origin of incompatibility theory of traditional Chinese medicines, relationship of herbs, harms of incompatible herbs and principle of prevention to toxic effects of specific incompatible medicines, the innovation and development of the traditional Chinese medicine incompatibility theory was explored. Structurally, the incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines refers to the opposition of two herbs based on seven emotions and clinical experience. The combination of incompatible herbs may lead to human harms, especially latent harm and inefficacy of intervention medicines. The avoidance of the combination of incompatible herbs and the consideration of both symptoms and drug efficacy are the basic method to prevent adverse reactions. The recent studies have revealed five characteristics of incompatible herbs. Toxicity potentiation, toxication, efficacy reduction and inefficacy are the four manifestations of the incompatible relations. The material changes can reflect the effects of toxicity potentiation and toxication of opposite herbs. The accumulation of toxicity and metabolic changes are the basis for latent harms. The antagonistic effect of main efficacies and the coexistence of positive and negative effects are the distinctive part of the incompatibility. The connotation of incompatible herbs plays an important role in the innovation of the traditional Chinese medicine incompatibility theory.

"Take your pill": the role and fantasy of pills in modern medicine.

The pharmaceutical industry has undergone a vast expansion in the 20th and 21st centuries. This article explores the central role now played by pills in clinical practice, but also in the public imagination. First, this article analyzes four properties that, together, account for many of the promises and perils associated with pills: They are ingestible, potent, reproducible, and miniaturized. This allows them to serve as ideal consumer items for widespread distribution and sale and also as model technological "devices" capable of downloading into the body healing chemicals. As such, they seem to promise a disburdening solution to many of life's ills. In our cultural fantasy, often shared by physician and patient alike, pills can be used not only to treat and prevent disease but also raise energy, lose weight, lessen pain, lift mood, cope with stress, and enhance sexual and athletic performance. This article also explores many adverse effects not only of pills themselves but of this exaggerated cultural fantasy of the pill. It tends to distract us from other, more holistic understandings of the locus of disease and healing. It even fosters misunderstandings of the ways in which pills themselves work, which is to assist bodily processes, and the mind's "meaning response." The intent here is not to demonize all pills-many have great therapeutic potential-but to learn how to better choose and use them wisely. We propose that this process be assisted through recontextualizing the pill as a multidimensional gift. Taken in such a way, with appropriate gratitude and discernment, we may ingest fewer pills, but with greater efficacy.

Medicines produced in Telsiai pharmacy (Vilnius governorate): analysis of prescription book from 1830.

The Museum of the History of Lithuanian Medicine and Pharmacy has a prescription book by a pharmacist Teodor. Geldner from Telsiai (the tsarist Russia's Lithuanian Vilnius Governorate), dated 1830. Each medication that was produced at the pharmacy had to be registered in this book. The entries included the composition of the drug, its form, usage, price, the physician's name, and (sometimes) the method of production. This paper presents the content analysis of this book. The study revealed which medicines were used for the treatment of patients back then, which principles of therapy predominated, and what the social status of the patients was.

Papers published from 1995 to 2012 by six Traditional Chinese Medicine universities in China: a bibliometric analysis based on science citation index.

OBJECTIVE: The quality and quantity of published research papers are important in both scientific and technology fields. Although there are several bibliometric studies based on citation analysis, very few have focused on research related to Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. METHODS: The bibliometric method used in this study included the following focuses: publication outputs for each year, paper type, language of publication, distribution of internationally collaborative countries, sources of funding, authorization number, distribution of institutes regarding collaborative publications, research fields, distribution of outputs in journals, citation, data, and h-index. RESULTS: A total of 3809 papers published from 1995 to 2012 were extracted from the science citation index (SCI). The cumulative number of papers from all six universities is constantly increasing. The United States attained the dominant position regarding complementary and alternative medicine research. The Chinese Academy of Sciences was the greatest participator in collaborative efforts. Research field analysis showed that the research mainly focused on pharmacology pharmacy, chemistry, integrative complementary medicine, plant sciences, and biochemistry molecular biology. The Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine had the most citations. CONCLUSION: In recent years, in terms of SCI papers, the six Traditional Chinese Medicine universities studied here have made great advances in scientific research.

El cuerpo del hombre como botica / No disponible

No disponible

[Literature survey on botanical origin and clinical application of traditional Tibetan medicine "Shengdeng"].

"Shengdeng" is its Tibetan transliteration referring to many medicines. Tibetan doctors and pharmacists in different areas use different drugs in formulation and clinical application, which are easily confused. In order to grasp the formula and clinical application accurately, we conduct a literature survey on history and current state of botanical origin and clinical application of "Shengdeng", making clear the application of various herbs named "Shengdeng" and providing reference to all Tibetan researchers and clinical workers in formulation and clinical application.

[Research of origin and ethnopharmacological uses of mineral medicine Halitum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the origin and ethnopharmacological uses of mineral medicine Halitum. METHOD: The historical literature and results of the modern researches were searched and on-the-spot investigation was also carried out. RESULT: The result showed that characteristics and function and uses of Halitum mentioned in historical literature and results of the modern researches were mostly coincident. However there were also some problems, which needed to explore further. CONCLUSION: With the development of mineral materials research and utilization, Halitum sources should be defined more clearly and scientifically.

Aportación a la historia de la farmacoterapia urológica / Contribution to the history of urological pharmacotherapy

Introducción: el objetivo de este trabajo es la revisión histórica de la farmacoterapia urológica. Los contenedores utilizados para la conservación y almacenamiento de los medicamentos son una importantísima fuente de información en la investigación histórica. Material y método: se ha acudido al estudio de fuentes escritas como son tratados de materia médica y terapéutica y a fuentes materiales existentes en el Museo-Farmacia de la Farmacia Monástica de la Real Cartuja de Valldemossa, en Mallorca. Se revisan los antiguos contenedores de medicamentos y sus cartelas identificadoras en botes cerámicos, frascos de vidrio y cajas de madera y restos medicamentosos hallados en su interior. Resultados: se describen diferentes medicamentos, tanto simples (de origen vegetal, mineral o animal) como compuestos, más usados a lo largo de los siglos para tratar las enfermedades del aparato urinario: cañafístula, agárico, mechoacán, altramuz, hinojo, goma arábiga, arrayán, bol armeno, Oleum scorpionum, cuerno de ciervo, cantáridas. Se presenta la evidencia de conocimiento disponible para cada uno de estos remedios en las principales fuentes bibliográficas y la prueba de que fueron empleados en Valldemossa. Conclusiones: la base de la farmacoterapia general y urológica se centraba en la naturaleza. Los medicamentos de origen vegetal eran los más utilizados. El arsenal terapéutico que a lo largo de la historia ha reunido la humanidad es el resultado de un largo proceso de mestizaje de prácticas y conocimientos de distintas culturas y sociedades (AU)

Introduction: The aim of this work is to present a historical review of urological pharmacotherapy. The containers used to preserve and store medicines are an important source of information in historical research. Material and methods: I studied written sources such as treaties of Medical and Therapeutical Materials, as well as material sources available at the Pharmacy Museum of the Farmacia Monástica de la Real Cartuja de Valldemossa in Mallorca. I examined the old medicine containers and the labelling on ceramic recipients, glass jars and wooden boxes and other medicines found inside them. Results: Different medicines, the most used over the centuries to treat diseases of the urinary system are described, including both simple (of plant, mineral or animal origin) and compound medicines: drumstick tree, agaricus, mechoacan, lupine, fennel, acacia gum, myrtle, Armenian bole, oleum scorpionum, hartshorn plantain, cantharides. I present evidence of knowledge available for each of these remedies in the main bibliographic sources, as well as proof that they were used in Valldemossa. Conclusions: The basis of general and urological pharmacotherapy was concentrated on nature. Medicines of plant origin were the most used. The therapeutic inventory that mankind has accumulated throughout history is the result of a lengthy process of combining practices and knowledge of different cultures and societies (AU)

[Occult medicine in the 20th century: pharmacotherapy by Demeter Georgievitz-Weitzer, known as Surya (1873 - 1949)]. / Okkulte medizin im 20. Jahrhundert: Pharmakotherapie nach Demeter Georgievitz-Weitzer, genannt Surya (1873-1949).

Demeter Georgievitz-Weitzer (1873-1949), called "Surya", Sanskrit for "sun", was an important representative of medical occultism in the first half of the 20th century. He worked as a journal editor and published a 13-volume book series about occult medicine, mainly written by himself. His hypotheses were closely related to the "Lebensreform" movement around 1900. Regarding diagnostics, he relied on astrology, cheiromancy, and clairvoyance, while therapeutics were dominated by diet and spagyric remedies according to Cesare Mattei (1809-1896) and Carl-Friedrich Zimpel (1801-1879). In his later years, he developed his own healing system, initially comprising eight, later only two preparations. Surya remedies were commercially available until the end of the 20th century,

[Textual research on original plant and dietotherapy history of Prunella vulgaris].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the original plant and dietotherapy history of Prunella vulgaris by textual researches, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication, exploitation and protection of wild resources. METHOD: The ancient literatures in the graphic, geographical distribution and morphological description of P. vulgaris were used in this studied. RESULT: The varieties of P. vulgaris for therapeutic were no confusion. However, there has existed confusion between P. vulgaris and its confusable species (Ajuga ciliate, A. decumbens and Lagopsis supina) with appellations, morphological description and attached drawing of original plant. CONCLUSION: The original plant is originated from two species (P. vulgaris, P. asiatica). P. hispida was used as a certified medicinal material in Yunnan province from Ming Dynasty to modern time. The dietotherapy history of P. vulgaris in China can be traced back to Ming Dynasty or before.

[The methods of Western medicine in on ancient medicine].

The treatise On Ancient Medicine attests that questions of method were being debated both in medicine and in philosophy and is important evidence of cross-discipline methodological controversy. The treatise On Ancient Medicine is the first attempt in the history of Greek thought to provide a detailed account of the development of a science from a starting point in observation and experience. The author of it criticizes philosophical physicians who attempt to systematized medicine by reducing it to the interaction of one or more of the opposites hot, cold, wet, and dry, factors. He regards the theory of his opponents as hypothesis(hypothesis). Medicine has long been in possession of both an arche and a hodos, a principle and a method, which have enabled it to make discoveries over a long period of time. As far as method is concerned, the traditional science of medicine attained the knowledge of the visible by starting from observation and experience, but it recommended the use of reasoning and analogies with familiar objects as a means of learning about the invisible. It also utilized inference from the visible to the visible(epilogismos) and inference from the visible to the invisible(analogismos). The use of analogy as a means of learning about the obscure was also part of the common heritage of early philosophy and medicine. But the author's use of the analogical method distinguishes it from Empedocles' well-known analogy comparisons of the eye to a lantern and the process of respiration to the operations of a clepsydra. According to the author, traditional science of medicine used functional analogy like wine example and cheese example to know the function of humors within the body and utilized structured analogy like a tube example and a cupping instrument example to acknowledge an organ or structure within the body. But the author didn't distinguish between the claim that medicine has a systematic method of making discoveries and very different claim that it has a systematic method of treatment. The reason for this is that he thought that discoveries are the end point of the method of investigation and the starting point of the procedures used in treatment.

[Textual research on change of medicinal parts and herbal medicine of Prunella vulgaris].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the herbal medicine of Prunella vulgaris by textual researches, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication, exploitation and protection of wild P. vulgaris resources. METHOD: Textual research on medicinal works of past dynasties and field work were adopted. RESULT: The natural distributions of P. vulgaris were concentrated distribution in Sichuan province, Huaihe river basin, and Middle-Lower Yangtze river valley in Chinese history. The indications of P. vulgaris in ancient and modern times were basically identical. While there were difference between the medicinal parts, harvest period and processing methods existed difference between ancient and modern. CONCLUSION: Three periods that whole grass of P. vulgaris as medicinal parts (from late Ming dynasty to late Qing dynasty and early stage of Republic of China), both whole grass and spicas as medicinal parts (from mid-term Republic of China to 1963), and the semi-maturity or maturity of spicas as medicinal parts (from 1963 to today) existed. The processing method for medicinal parts of P. vulgaris adopted sun drying and shady drying in ancient China, but only the sun drying was only used in modern times.

The Methods of Western Medicine in On Ancient Medicine / 의사학

The treatise On Ancient Medicine attests that questions of method were being debated both in medicine and in philosophy and is important evidence of cross-discipline methodological controversy. The treatise On Ancient Medicine is the first attempt in the history of Greek thought to provide a detailed account of the development of a science from a starting point in observation and experience. The author of it criticizes philosophical physicians who attempt to systematized medicine by reducing it to the interaction of one or more of the opposites hot, cold, wet, and dry, factors. He regards the theory of his opponents as hypothesis(hypothesis). Medicine has long been in possession of both an arche and a hodos, a principle and a method, which have enabled it to make discoveries over a long period of time. As far as method is concerned, the traditional science of medicine attained the knowledge of the visible by starting from observation and experience, but it recommended the use of reasoning and analogies with familiar objects as a means of learning about the invisible. It also utilized inference from the visible to the visible(epilogismos) and inference from the visible to the invisible(analogismos). The use of analogy as a means of learning about the obscure was also part of thecommon heritage of early philosophy and medicine. But the author's use of the analogical method distinguishes it from Empedocles' well-known analogy comparisons of the eye to a lantern and the process of respiration to the operations of a clepsydra. According to the author, traditional science of medicine used functional analogy like wine example and cheese example to know the function of humors within the body and utilized structured analogy like a tube example and a cupping instrument example to acknowledge an organ or structure within the body. But the author didn't distinguish between the claim that medicine has a systematic method of making discoveries and very different claim that it has a systematic method of treatment. The reason for this is that he thought that discoveries are the end point of the method of investigation and the starting point of the procedures used in treatment.

[Brief analysis on transition factors of valuing acupuncture above moxibustion in Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties].

Study the transition factors of valuing acupuncture above moxibustion in Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties. The transition factors of valuing acupuncture above moxibustion in Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties are the breakthrough in pathogenesis theory and syndrome differentiation theory, the improvement of meridian theory, the flexible prescriptions, the widely practices of Chinese medicine in clinical settings, changes of diseases spectrum, the prevalence of heat diseases, the increase in trauma and fracture, and the limitations and disadvantages of moxibustion.

[Ancient understanding and the method analysis of combined acupuncture and medication].

To study and analyze on the understanding of ancient physicians' experience about combined acupuncture and medication, the thought of combined acupuncture and medication in ancient Chinese medicine, and the concrete application are analyzed by reorganization of the treatises and literature of ancient physicians. It is found that physicians of past dynasties have the greatest esteem for such academic thought of combined acupuncture and medication as essential quality of physicians, and accumulate rich experience and understanding in the application rules of clinical treatment model of combined acupuncture and medication, and action characteristics of acupuncture and medical herbs, etc. which are worthy to be further studied, so as to better guide clinical practice and scientific researches.