Medicina nei secoli
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Medicina nei secoli · Jan 2014
Historical ArticleThe monstrous metallic in medicine and horror cinema.
`This paper considers the monstrous nature of medical tools and devices through the lens of horror cinema and the art of Damien Hirst. In it I argue for a shift from the monster and the monstrous as organic to the threat of the monster as an inorganic object in tools such as the scalpel and syringe. However, the metaphorical significance of the monster is sustained in these tools where human technological creations continue the discourse of the monster as a product of human creativity.
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Medicina nei secoli · Jan 2014
Historical ArticleWhen 'drugs' become 'drugs': issues of pharmaceutical abuse in France from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Since the 1970s, media frenzies about drug addiction have focused mainly on illicit drugs taken by rebellious or marginalised addicts, relegating iatrogenic drug abuse, and policies and problems linked to psychotropic pharmaceuticals available by prescription or over-the-counter to the shadows. In this article I go beyond the division between illicit drugs and medicines still configuring both public representations and historiography: using archival materials from the 1960s-1990s in France, I highlight some blind spots in drug history. ⋯ Finally, I analyse the role of physicians and pharmacists in this control, and discuss the various professional debates relating to the legal supply of psychoactive drugs. In all these issues, the frame of the Cold War context will also be highlighted.
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Medicina nei secoli · Jan 2013
Historical Article[Paleopathology of Herculaneum's population (79 D.C.)].
In 1982, some occasional excavations in the area corresponding to the ancient beach of Ercolano brought to light the rests of around 250 individuals, victims of the eruption of the Vesuvius. This exceptional recovery constitutes an essential patrimony for the reconstruction of the paleobiology and the paleopathology of the human populations in Roman epoch, in relationship not only to the style of life but also to the social and economic status. ⋯ The high frequency of occupational markers (enthesopaties and sindesmopaties) suggests that the most part of the population (juveniles included) exercised hand work. Among the infectious pathologies we report cases of the tuberculosis and brucellosis.
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Medicina nei secoli · Jan 2013
[Human remains in museums: research, preservation and communication. The experience of Turin University Museum of Anthropology and Etnography].
The creation of large scientific collections has been an important development for anthropological and paleopathological research. Indeed the biological collections are irreplaceable reference systems for the biological reconstruction of past population. ⋯ Thinking about the role of mummies and bones as scientific resources, best practice of preservation of ancient specimens should be of high priority for institution and researchers. By way of example, the authors mention their experience regarding ancient human remains preserved in the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography at the University of Turin.
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Medicina nei secoli · Jan 2010
Historical Article[Two hospitals in Rome between the church and the state: Policlinico Umberto I and Addolorata].
During the years between the 1900 and the 1907 two significant hospitals were built in Rome, the "Policlinico Umberto I" and the "Addolorata" hospice, founded by Antonio Cerasi. The first one aims to reflect the lay idea of medical assistance, widely open to relevant science developments, and in the meantime strengthened by the dedication to scientific research and education; the other one was the very embodiment of the Christian spirit of charity and care for poorest and chronic patients.