[Snake as a symbol in medicine and pharmacy - a historical study]. 2000

J Okuda, and R Kiyokawa
Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya.

The snake and snake venoms have stimulated the mind and imagination of humankind since the beginning of records about society. No animal has been more worshipped yet more cast out, more loved yet more despised than the snake. The essence of the fascination with fear of the snake lies within the creature's venom. Snakes have been used for worship, magic potions and, medicine, and they have been the symbol of love, health, disease, medicine, pharmacy, immortality, death and even wisdom. In the Sumer civilization (B.C. 2350-2150), designs with 2 snakes appeared. In Greek mythology (B.C. 2000-400), statues of Asclepius (God of Medicine), with "Caduceus" (made of two snakes and a staff), and his daughter Hygeia (God of Health), holding a snake and bowl, were created as symbols for medicine and health, respectively. A kind of Caduceus (1 snake and 1 staff) has been used as a symbol by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a snake and bowl as a symbol of pharmacies in Europe. Snakes have also been worshipped by old Indian peoples involved in Hinduism since 6-4th century B.C. In ancient Egypt, snake designs were used in hieroglyphs. In China, dried bodies of about 30 species of snakes are still using as Chinese medicines. In Japan, a painting of the symbol of "Genbu" (snake with tortoise) was found recently on the north wall of the Takamatsuzuka ancient tomb (7-8th century A.D.), however it is a symbol of a compass direction, and has probably less relation to medicine and pharmacy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008511 Medicine The art and science of studying, performing research on, preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease, as well as the maintenance of health. Insurance Medicine,Medical Specialities,Medical Specialties,Medical Specialty,Specialities, Medical,Specialties, Medical,Specialty, Medical,Insurance Medicines,Medical Speciality,Medicine, Insurance,Medicines, Insurance,Speciality, Medical
D000077406 History of Pharmacy Study of the origins and development of the field of PHARMACY. Pharmacy, History,Pharmacy History
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012911 Snakes Limbless REPTILES of the suborder Serpentes. Serpentes,Ophidia,Snake
D013561 Symbolism A concept that stands for or suggests something else by reason of its relationship, association, convention, or resemblance. The symbolism may be mental or a visible sign or representation. (From Webster, 3d ed) Symbolism (Psychology),Symbolisms,Symbolisms (Psychology)
D049690 History, Ancient The period of history before 500 of the common era. Ancient History,Ancient History (Medicine),Ancient History of Medicine,History of Medicine, Ancient,Medicine, Ancient History,Ancient Histories (Medicine),Ancient History Medicine,Ancient History Medicines,Histories, Ancient (Medicine),History Medicine, Ancient,History Medicines, Ancient,History, Ancient (Medicine),Medicine Ancient History,Medicines, Ancient History
D049691 History, Medieval The period of history from the year 500 through 1450 of the common era. Medieval History,History of Medicine, Medieval,History of Medicine, Renaissance,Medicine, Medieval History,Medicine, Renaissance,Medieval History (Medicine),Renaissance Medicine,Histories, Medieval (Medicine),History Medicine, Medieval,History, Medieval (Medicine),Medieval Histories (Medicine),Medieval History Medicine
D049692 History, Early Modern 1451-1600 The period of history from 1451 through 1600 of the common era. Early Modern History,Early Modern History (Medicine),Early Modern History of Medicine,Early Modern Medicine,History of Medicine, Early Modern,History, Early Modern,Medicine, Early Modern,Early Modern Histories (Medicine),Histories, Early Modern (Medicine),History, Early Modern (Medicine),History, Early Modern 1451 1600,Modern Histories, Early (Medicine),Modern History, Early,Modern History, Early (Medicine),Modern Medicine, Early
D049711 History, Modern 1601- The period of history from 1601 of the common era to the present. History, Modern,Modern History,History of Medicine, Modern,Medicine, Modern,Modern History (Medicine),Modern Medicine,1601- History, Modern,History, Modern (Medicine),History, Modern 1601,Modern 1601- History

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