An increasing number of articles have proposed a fascinating historical reconstruction of the symbol used through the ages to represent the activity of doctors. There has been perplexity about continuing to use the winged caduceus of Hermes, since this symbol has come to be associated with trade, commerce, communication, and even thieves, which is not very flattering for doctors. It has been proposed that we return to the single-serpent-entwined staff of Asklepios,1 or to go back to an even more ancestral symbol: an arrow.2 This debate about what is historically the most appropriate symbol for doctors is an enlightening means for continued reflection and questioning of the roots, developments, and challenges facing medicine today
What symbol should represent the medical profession?
CAPODICASA, Enrico
2004
Abstract
An increasing number of articles have proposed a fascinating historical reconstruction of the symbol used through the ages to represent the activity of doctors. There has been perplexity about continuing to use the winged caduceus of Hermes, since this symbol has come to be associated with trade, commerce, communication, and even thieves, which is not very flattering for doctors. It has been proposed that we return to the single-serpent-entwined staff of Asklepios,1 or to go back to an even more ancestral symbol: an arrow.2 This debate about what is historically the most appropriate symbol for doctors is an enlightening means for continued reflection and questioning of the roots, developments, and challenges facing medicine todayI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
