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Revised February 21, 2009
MEDICINE
First appearing in ancient Mesopotamian cultures around 2600 B.C., the caduceus consisted of two serpents or basilisks twisted around a rod. The wingless staff topped by a pair of snakes is depicted in many ancient representations of Hermes. The caduceus--in Greek, the kerykeion--was originally just the staff of the herald (the kerux). It
came to be associated with Hermes because as the messenger of the gods he was their herald as well. The duties of the kerux were to summon the assembly, to separate combatants if need be, and to carry messages to and fro between enemies. In ancient Greek culture, Hermes symbolized many of the contradictions of mortal men---revered as a god of wisdom and good fortune, he was also a god of fraud and deception.
Decorated with wings and snakes, the Caduceus is a symbol we still use today which is identified with the medical profession. Recognized internationally as the symbol of Medicine, the Caduceus symbolized healing of the body, mind and soul. It symbolized the "Old World" falling away, making room for the "new world" experiences, as the symbolic "angel of healing" rises up to embrace life. Historically, the Roman god Mercury was the messenger of the gods, equivalent to the Greek god Hermes. The Caduceus is the wand of Mercury, who carried it as a wing-footed messenger of the gods (also Roman soldiers during flag of truce). The staff of peace was once borne by Roman military emissaries to signify a cessation of hostilities. Snakes from tradition that Aesculapius, the Roman God of Medicine appeared during a plague in Rome in the form of a snake. Ancients believed snakes discovered the secret of eternal life, interpreting shedding of skin as a return to youth. They also credited snakes with being able to search out health-giving medicinal herbs. Thus, the combination of snakes as symbols of health and the staff representing both speed and peace.
Mercury was not the only god whose attributes included a Caduceus. This portrait of Felicitas, Roman goddess of hapiness, good luck, contentment, laughter, and prosperity, on the reverse of a silver antoninianus (double denarius) of Philip I shows her holding two of her attributes, a caduceus and a cornucopia. The caduceus is depicted here right hand and the cornucopia to her left. On other coinage she was also standing with one foot on a globe. The Kalends of July (modern day July 1st) was done of during which no legal action or public voting took occurred. The Kalends of July were sacred to Felicitas, who was the personification of Juno, the wife of Jupiter. On July 1st, a temple in Rome was dedicated to Felicitas. In ancient Greece, October 9th was the Festival of Felicitas--when citizens voted on political or criminal matters. This day was celebrated at the Thesmophoria. She was a favorite of Roman emperors and their generals. She was also known as " She who suckles the young."
MEDICAL HISTORY INFORMATION:
ANCIENT MEDICINE BOOKS:
ANCIENT MEDICINE INFORMATION:
HERBAL MEDICINE BOOKS
HERBAL MEDICINE INFORMATION--Remedies, pictures, etc.:
Botanical.com--A Modern Herbal: "'A Modern Herbal', first published in 1931, by Mrs. M. Grieve, contains Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs.
Plant & Herb Index. More than 800 varieties of herbs & plants." Word Search of the 860 page text. A indexed recipes of 29 plants. Indexed listing of 44 poisonous plants including medicinal usages. Also offers plant cultivation info for climates similar to England and the American Pacific Northwest.
ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE BOOKS
ALLOPATHIC MEDICINE INFORMATION--sites, articles, etc.:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
