THE MOLE: AN UNUSUAL ITEM OF MATERIA MEDICA
THE MOLE: AN UNUSUAL ITEM OF MATERIA MEDICA
Author(s): Christopher J. DuffinSubject(s): History, Social Sciences, Sociology, Middle Ages, Modern Age, Health and medicine and law, 16th Century, 17th Century, 18th Century
Published by: Naučno društvo za istoriju zdravstvene kulture
Keywords: mole; epilepsy; rheumatism; Kyranides; Hildegard of Bingen
Summary/Abstract: The mole (Talpa europea) has a long history of use as medicament beginning with rather sparse records in classical and medieval writings. The number and diversity of mole therapies expanded during early modern times. This, the first survey of mole-containing medicines in scientific medical literature, reveals that they were used to treat, amongst other ailments, rheumatism, arthritis, hernias, prolapse, leprosy, epilepsy, wounds, and a wide range of dermal, dental, ocular and aural conditions. Preparations were generally quite simple, comprising either isolated organs from the animal (liver, blood, teeth, skin) or the whole carcass, usually in the form of a pulverised ash.
Journal: Acta historiae medicinae, stomatologiae, pharmaciae, medicinae veterinariae
- Issue Year: 41/2022
- Issue No: 1-2
- Page Range: 7-23
- Page Count: 17
- Language: English, Serbian
