Edmund Lawrence Dubois (1923-1985).

In the year 1950, Edmund Dubois was asked to evaluate eight patients who had positive results from a new blood test known as the LE cell prep. This was the springboard for him to launch a career that elucidated new and unique insights into the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, laboratory testing, and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Between 1950 and 1985, he treated more than 2000 patients with the disorder and wrote the principal textbook on the subject.

Eric Bywaters and Barbara Ansell: Founders of Modern Pediatric Rheumatology.

Eric Bywaters and Barbara Ansell were, without doubt, two of the giants in the field of Rheumatology. With their keen clinical observations and their visionary development of a dedicated multidisciplinary program focusing on diagnosis, treatment, and research, they are remembered as the founders of the modern specialty of Pediatric Rheumatology.

The catalogue of the Westhoff collection of Chinese materia medica (c. 1870): Evidence of interaction between a Chinese medicine practitioner and the Dutch in Indonesia.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Westhoff collection of Chinese materia medica (c. 1870) at the Utrecht University Museum in Utrecht, the Netherlands, contains an original, handwritten catalogue, which was putatively ascribed to a Chinese medicine practitioner. It provides a detailed record of the Chinese names, plant parts, preparations, and applications of the specimens contained in glass bottles, which probably reflects the physician's personal interpretation of Chinese medicine in Indonesia at the end of the 19th century. Such individual catalogues can reveal historical changes and regional variations in the use of traditional Chinese medicine, which can lead to a better understanding of the history and development of this field. AIM OF THE STUDY: We addressed the following questions: 1) What are the contents of the Westhoff catalogue? 2) What medicinal preparations and applications were recorded in the catalogue, and which ones are dominant? 3) How similar is the use of Chinese materia medica in Westhoff catalogue compared to the modern Chinese Pharmacopeia? 4) What other specific information is contained in the Westhoff catalogue? MATERIALS AND METHODS: The catalogue had been digitized previously, and all handwritten Dutch text has been transcribed and translated into English. The information for each entry was summarized and analyzed, the medicinal applications were compared to modern Chinese pharmacopeia or other monographs on Chinese materia medica. RESULTS: The catalogue contains 436 entries, for which 395 corresponding specimens still exist in the Westhoff collection of Chinese materia medica. Each entry contains a serial number, a Chinese name, a phonetic Dutch transcription of the Chinese name, a description of the plant, animal, or mineral origin of the medicinal product, the preparation method, and the medical indication for which it should be used. The dominant preparation method is decoction (79% of the entries). The most frequently mentioned applications are fever, skin diseases, strengthening and wounds. Around 80% of the medicinal applications in the catalogue were also listed for the same CMM in modern monographs. The catalogue also sheds light on typical characteristics of popular medicine, their geographic origin, and social aspects of traditional Chinese medicine in Indonesia around 1870. CONCLUSIONS: The Westhoff catalogue is a valuable record of Chinese materia medica and its practice in a specific time and space. It reflects an individual physician's interpretation of Chinese medicine, shows the difficulties in the interpretation of cultural-bound health issues between the Dutch and the Chinese, and provides evidence that traditional Chinese medicine spread not only in East Asia but also to the distant Western world.

Classical psychedelics in psychiatry - renaissance of interest and therapeutic perspectives. / Klasyczne psychodeliki w psychiatrii ­ renesans zainteresowania i perspektywy terapeutyczne.

Substances that change the states of consciousness have been used in the therapeutics of traditional cultures for hundreds of years. In the Western cultural circle, scientific curiosity and hope for a breakthrough in the treatment of various mental disorders constituted the basis of the first wave of research on humans with the use of psychedelics. After synthesizing LSD, psychedelic substances aroused intense but short-term interest among mental health specialists at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. In the preliminary studies, substances such as psilocybin or LSD, used as a supplement to psychotherapy, showed promising therapeutic effects, however, due to legal and political reasons, all research work was stopped in the 1970s. The last two decades have been a period of renaissance in the interest in using sychedelic substances in psychiatry. Despite the early stage of work, the clinical research conducted so far has indicated the potential benefits of using psychedelics in the treatment of anxiety, affective disorders, or addictions. Moreover, so far, no serious side effects of this form of therapy have been reported. However, due to a number of barriers of both medical and legal nature, the creation of the first psychiatric drug with psychedelic properties appears to be extremely complicated. Further, precisely constructed studies on large groups of patients are needed to determine whether psychedelics can find practical applications in psychiatric therapy (or even become a long-awaited breakthrough in the treatment of mental disorders).

Psychoanalytic Contributions to Psychodynamic Psychiatry: Freud's Anxiety Theory.

In many academic centers a generation of psychiatrists has undergone training with little or no exposure to Freud's contributions to our profession. Our profession is diminished if we ignore Freud's remarkable insights into the human psyche. Not only does Freud give us a comprehensive theory of human nature-of our mental life and its psychopathology-his concepts are foundational to dynamic psychiatry and its psychotherapeutic application. This article describes one of his core concepts: Freud's theory of anxiety.

A True "Uomo Universale" from the 1800s - Dr. George Watt.

A hot bed of organized dental leadership and visionary thinking in the mid-to-late 1800s came from Ohio, as many presidents of the American Dental Association were from that state. They were quite influential in leading this organization into the 20th century. One of the most dynamic and well-rounded individuals was Dr. George Watt…this paper will highlight his life as viewed by one of his peers.

[The Japanese emperors' view of epidemic and medical relief in the 8th-10th centuries].

At the end of the 7th century, Chinese medicine was widely spread in the upper class of Japanese society, and Japanese emperors developed a medical based view on epidemics. At the beginning of the 8th century, emperors determined to reform by imitated the Tang to build a state ruled by law.They determine the way of TCM to relieve the epidemic in the form of legislation, and used medical measures in outbreaks on many occasions.However, with the spread of smallpox and other epidemics during the Tenpei year, Japan's backward medical level and poor medical resources were unable to cope with the epidemic, and the emperors turned to the epidemic as calamity. From the late 8th century to the end of 10th century, Japanese emperors responded with Buddhist, Shinto, and Confucian measures. Medical relief gradually became obsolete at the national level. But at the individual level of the emperors, they attached great importance to the use of Chinese medicine for epidemic prevention and treatment, in the mid to late 9th century, medical prevention measures were established in the court through legal means.

[The Biography and Achievements of Japanese Psychiatrist Syuzo Kure].

Syuzo Kure (1865-1932) was the founder of modern psychiatry in Japan and one of the pioneers of the study on the Japanese medical history. He introduced the modern hospital system and psychiatric research, actively promoted the improvement of the treatment of the mental disorders.He was the founder of the Japanese Psychiatric Neurological Association and the Journal of Neurology, and also promoted the establishment of the Charity Treatment Association for the Mentally ill.At the same time, he excavated and sorted out the historical materials of psychiatry, and founded the Japanese Medical History Society.While the medical social history is heating up in China, it is of many significance to pay attention to the study of psychiatric history and a representative figure like Syuzo Kure.

[La expedición Balmis en el Suplemento a la Gazeta de Madrid (14 de octubre de 1806), difusión hispana.] / The Balmis expedition in the Supplement to the Gazeta de Madrid (October 14, 1806), Hispanic diffusion.

The Madrid Gazette published a Supplement on October 14, 1806, regarding the arrival of the Director of the Royal Expedition Vaccine Philanthropy, Francisco Xavier Balmis, and the reception held by King Carlos IV. Balmis had completed his journey across the Spanish overseas territories, taking the vaccine against smallpox from arm to arm with the help of a human chain of children. During this journey, Balmis also established Vaccination Boards and endeavoured to identify cows with cowpox. The publication endorsed the policies of a declining Bourbon monarchy and marked the peak of Balmis' professional career. Both sides emerged victorious: the Crown showcased itself as the sponsor and organiser of this altruistic journey, in line with prior scientific expeditions; and Balmis secured his place in Public Health history as the director of the first international vaccination campaign. This did not mean the culmination of the expedition, as other members were still administering vaccinations in the Philippines and South America. The main objective of this study was to assess the importance of the newspaper Madrid Gazette, outline the contents of the publication, authenticate the origins of the documentary sources underpinning its composition, and confirm its impact and citations throughout 19th-century Spanish publications. The components of the publication, its origins, as well as Balmis' involvement in its creation, have been substantiated. The Supplement's importance is defined by its utility as a resource for commemorating and appreciating the expedition.

La Gazeta de Madrid publicó un Suplemento el 14 de octubre de 1806 dando noticia de la llegada y recepción al Director de la Real Expedición Filantrópica de la Vacuna, Francisco Xavier Balmis, por parte del Rey Carlos IV. Había finalizado su periplo dando la vuelta al mundo por los territorios españoles de ultramar, llevando la vacuna contra la viruela brazo a brazo con la ayuda de una cadena humana de niños, creando Juntas de Vacunación e intentando encontrar vacas con cowpox. La publicación refrendó las políticas de una monarquía borbónica en decadencia y significó el momento álgido de la carrera profesional de Balmis. Ambas partes ganaban: la Corona publicitándose como financiadora y organizadora del viaje altruista en línea con expediciones científicas anteriores; Balmis pasando a la historia de la Salud Pública como director de la primera campaña internacional de vacunación. No fue el final de la expedición, ya que el resto de los expedicionarios aún seguían vacunando en Filipinas y América del Sur. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la importancia de la Gazeta de Madrid como periódico, describir los contenidos de la noticia, verificar el origen de las fuentes documentales que apoyaron su redacción y comprobar el impacto y citas que tuvo a lo largo del siglo XIX en publicaciones en idioma español. Los componentes de la noticia, su proveniencia, así como la participación de Balmis en su redacción han quedado probados. La importancia del Suplemento estribó en su utilidad como recurso para recordar y poner en valor la expedición.

Pioneer of Cardiothoracic Surgery - Luiz Tavares da Silva.

Luis Tavares revolutionized cardiac surgery, always bringing the most modern instruments and equipment from his travels to England - surgical forceps, scissors, scalpels, etc. He always insisted that he was not just a thoracic surgeon, for his work extended over a wide field and created three important cardiac surgery centers which promoted a great development of cardiology. He carried out the first open heart surgery (atrial septal defect) employing extracorporeal circulation and closure of a ventricular septal defect with deep surface hypothermia of north and northeast Brazil. He promoted an intense scientific exchange program between Recife and England, resulting in significant advances in medicine, and participated directly in the creation of HEMOPE), leading to radical changes and improvements in blood therapy in the whole country. The PROCAPE, inaugurated in 2006, was the result of the cardiac center created by him in early 1970 at Hospital Oswaldo Cruz and can be considered the second largest public-university cardiology center in Brazil. He is thus widely regarded as an outstanding name in medicine in the 20th century and one of the fathers of modern cardiac surgery in Brazil.

[ORGAN TRANSPLANT HISTORY IN ISRAEL].

INTRODUCTION: Organ transplantation is an innovative field that was pioneered in the middle of the last century with the development of surgical techniques, advances in the understanding of immunological processes that cause rejection, introduction of drugs to prevent rejection and improved methods for organ preservation. In Israel, the first heart transplantation and kidney transplantation were performed in the mid-1960's followed by pancreas, lung and liver transplantation that were conducted for the first time in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The significant change that has led to an increase in the number of transplants in Israel and rising success rates after transplant has occurred with the introduction of the new generation of anti-rejection drugs, Cyclosporine and subsequently Tacrolimus (Prograf ®). Another milestone was the founding of The National Transplant Center in 1994. This led to the formation of national transplant candidate lists for each organ, the establishment of professional committees that determine organ allocation policy and the creation of a governmental ethics committee to oversee the performance of live-donor transplantation. In 2008, about a month before the signing of the Istanbul Declaration, the Transplantation Law was enacted to regulate organ transplantation in Israel, which included clauses restricting organ trade in the spirit of the Istanbul Declaration. These measures increased the number of transplants performed in Israel and significantly reduced the number of transplants of Israelis abroad. The establishment of Matanat Chaim Organization in 2012 is another milestone that has led to a significant increase in the number of kidney transplants, most of which are currently performed from altruistic donations. However, today there is still a shortage of organs for transplantation from deceased donors and there is a long way to go to close the gap between organ need and supply. This review will indicate the introduction of the first transplants performed in Israel and the measures undertaken to increase the number of transplants. In addition, the review will note the laws and regulations of organ allocation.

[Art and health care: a tradition of mutable functions]. / Kunst en gezondheidszorg.

The art heritage that has survived from medieval and early modern hospitals situated in the north of the Netherlands should be considered in the context of the multifunctional character hospitals had at the time. As a result, the heritage does not compare well with the role and function of visual art in hospitals of the 20th and 21st centuries. However, commissioning art in hospitals and other healthcare facilities is an old and fascinating tradition that, like all good traditions, changes with time. From the second half of the 20th century, many a Dutch hospital built up its own art collection. Initially with the aim of supporting art and artists, later on with the idea to elevate human beings and using art as a healing environment. The latest developments sees hospitals giving art and artists a function in training young doctors. Invariably, art manages to connect people in all ages.

Professor Andrzej Zembaty (1935-2022) - Visionary and Co-founder of Polish Physiotherapy.

Based on an analysis of source materials from the private collection of the Zembaty family, the Medical Library of the Marian Weiss Rehabilitation Center in Konstancin, articles from daily press, and a few publications, we present the professional career, and academic and organizational activities of the late Professor Andrzej Zembaty (1935-2022), Doctor Habilitatus in Physical Culture Studies. While working at the Capital City Rehabilitation Center in Konstancin (Stoleczne Centrum Rehabilitacji), he served as an assistant to and close collaborator of Professor Marian Weiss. Affiliated with the Warsaw University of Physical Education for many years, he was known as a scholar, demanding teacher, author of well-known textbooks, and organizer of physiotherapy education. His vision of the professional development and role of physiotherapists in healthcare was realized only after the enaction of the Physiotherapist Profession Act. He undoubtedly ranks among the pioneers and founders of Polish physiotherapy.

Ferid Murad (1936-2023).

Physician-scientist who discovered NO signaling.

An interview with Jonathan Slack.

Jonathan Slack is Emeritus Professor at the University of Bath. His research interests have included early development of the Xenopus embryo, regeneration of limbs and tails, and attempts to reprogramme other cell types to ß cells. In September 2023, Jonathan was awarded the 2023 British Society for Developmental Biology Wolpert Medal, which recognizes an outstanding individual who has made major contributions to the teaching and communication of developmental biology in the UK. We chatted to Jonathan at the European Developmental Biology Congress, where he was presented with the medal, to find out more about his career and his experience writing textbooks and the 'A Very Short Introduction' books on stem cells and genes.

An interview with Marysia Placzek.

Marysia Placzek is Professor of Developmental Neurobiology at the University of Sheffield, UK, where her lab studies the development of the hypothalamus. In 2023, she was awarded the British Society for Developmental Biology's (BSDB) Waddington Medal, which recognises outstanding individuals who have made major contributions to UK developmental biology. Marysia gave her award lecture at the European Developmental Biology Congress (EDBC), a hybrid meeting with hubs in Oxford, Paris and Barcelona. We met in Oxford after her talk to learn more about her research, her love of teaching and her thoughts on the future of the field.

[The Early Years of Nephrology at Molinette Hospital in Turin Told by Those Who Lived and Built Them].

This article, written by several authors, describes the birth and early development of the nephrology at Molinette Hospital in Torino, Italy. In particular, it supplies important information on Antonio Vercellone, very motivated and innovative clinician and one of the fathers of Italian nephrology, and on Giuseppe Piccoli, his right-hand man and then his successor. This article also shows the strong professional and human engagement that was requested to the young doctors who, in the early Sixties and Seventies of the past century, had chosen to devote their professional lives to the patients with kidney diseases: from endless workdays without schedules to the anguish caused by the shortage of artificial kidneys to the cure of very fragile and unfortunate patients, and much more.

Aulus Cornelius Celsus' De Medicina and His Contributions to Knowledge on Skin Diseases.

The book De Medicina by Aulus Cornelius Celsus was the first complete treatise about medicine written in Latin. We know little about his life. The monography consists of eight books describing all that was known within the whole sphere of medicine and surgery in the first century AD. In the introduction (proemium), he also described the history of medicine until his time and also delineated the treatment of diseases that may be dietetic, medication-based or surgical. The treatise describes approximately forty skin diseases in a concise and clear style.