Snakes And Sticks As Symbols In Medicine:Greek Mythology

Snakes And Sticks As Symbols In Medicine

We often see the following symbols in various hospitals, ambulances, or medical services. But from a distance, many people have mistaken these symbols for stethoscopes used by doctors. The funny thing is that it is not a stethoscope but for many their most feared reptile snake. Today we will know how snakes and sticks came as a symbol in medical science.

Sticks As Symbols

If you look closely, you can see that the snake has been used in all the photo symbols except the one above. We will briefly discuss all the symbols and their meanings, history, one by one.

Caduceus:

Caduceus symbolizes the Greek god Hermes.

Let's talk a little bit about it. According to Greek mythology, Hermes was one of the sons of the god Zeus. Hermes himself was a god. The symbol of Hermes was a flying stick-like object, wrapped around two snakes. Just like the first picture in the image above. It meant the relationship between business, rhetoric, conversation, medieval chemistry, alchemy, and knowledge. Hermes was actually a messenger. Who carried the message between gods and humans.

From the beginning, these two snake sticks of Hermes were not used as a symbol of medicine. Because the god Hermes had nothing to do with medicine. It was first used in America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a symbol of medicine. And this symbol is popular because of the American Medical Corps.

Medical logo of the American Army 

The American Medical Corps needed to use a logo in the late nineteenth century. The man in charge then forgot that Caduceus was related to medicine and used it as a logo. Because he got confused between Rod Of Asclepius and Caduceus. The Rod Of Asclepius is mentioned at the end of the article.

Later Caduceus became more popular as a symbol of healing as it became more attractive to look at. This symbol started to be used due to a slight mistake and once established due to its popularity.

Optometry or eye treatment:

With this symbol is meant everything related to eye medicine. For example, eye examination, prescribing lenses as required, etc. This symbol is basically a Caduceus symbol. But the difference is that it has a pair of eyes at the top to understand what it is related to.

Veterinary or veterinary medicine:

By this is meant the symbol of veterinary medicine. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) changed the previous symbol in 1971 to determine the symbol. This symbol is used Rod Of Asclepius where the front has a "V" in capital letters to denote veterinary medicine.

Dentistry:

It is used as a symbol of dentistry. This symbol has another symbol on Caduceus like the image below.

Dentistry symbol

In the middle of that symbol is the Rod Of Asclepius and on both sides there are 18 and a total of 32 leaves. Which indicates the number of our teeth. Between the leaves on both sides there are 20 small berry-like fruits which indicates the number of our milk teeth. That is clearly understood in the picture above. And the sign that has a triangle shape on the outside is basically delta (Δ). Delta in Greek means "D" with "Dentistry" means. And in Greek o (omicron) means "odont" which means teeth.

Chiropractic or internal structure treatment:

It refers to the treatment of our various joints and especially the spine. Especially when there is a problem in our spine or any joint due to various internal organs or muscles or nervous.

Symbol of Life:

It is also known as the Star of Life.

Circle of Life

We see this symbol in many places. For example, in any hospital-related uniform, ambulance, medical website, etc. Even in front of many elevators and this sign can be seen. Having this symbol in front of the elevator means that a 24-inch * 64-inch stretcher can be inserted into the elevator for the patient.

This symbol was designed by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the United States, the symbol is used as evidence of an ambulance, medical assistant, or emergency medical personnel. It is also used internationally to refer to emergency medical services. With the 8 arms of the Symbol of Life, the rescue workers are given 8 tasks:

8 arms of Symbol of Life

Detection: This means that the rescue worker will first observe an incident, try to understand the problem, try to identify the level of danger, and take steps to ensure the safety of the victim.

Reporting: Professionals will be contacted and dispatched quickly to ensure emergency health care.

On scene care: Immediate emergency services will provide the necessary immediate services as soon as they arrive.

care in transit service: A person engaged in emergency medical services will send the affected person to the hospital. Any ambulance or helicopter or any special system will ensure the safety of the affected patient. And will provide necessary services to the patient during the said transport.

Transfer to definitive care or transfer to the final service delivery center: Special services will be provided in the hospital.

Rod Of Asclepius:

Introduction to Asclepius:

It is known as the "Rod Of Asclepius". It symbolizes Asclepius, another god of Greek mythology. Asclepius was the son of the god Apollo. Apollo was the son of the god Zeus. Another identity of Asclepius is that, according to Greek mythology, Asclepius was the first baby to be cut out of the abdomen. Which is now known as cesarean. Asclepius's mother's name was Coronis. While Asclepius was in her womb, Cornice fell in love with another man.

Asclepius

When the god Apollo heard this, he became angry and killed Cornis by throwing him into the fire. While Cornice's body was burning in the fire, Apollo thought of their child in Cornice's stomach. He was not at fault. So he quickly cut Cornice's stomach with the help of Hermes and brought out Asclepius.

Asclepius is said to be the god of healing. He learned to heal people from his father Apollo. At one time he became very skilled in various surgeries and also in the application of various medicines. According to Greek mythology, he is also called the founder of medical science. A holy place is dedicated to him in the city of Epidaurus in ancient Greece where he was born.

It is believed that he could bring the dead back to life. According to Greek mythology, Zeus at one time was concerned about his abilities. He thought that Asclepius would immortalize mankind with this power. So he killed Asclepius with a thunderbolt.