Medical symbolism in connection with historical studies in the arts of healing and hygiene

by Thomas S. Sozinskey

No. 9 IN THE PHYSICIANS’ AND STUDENTS’ READY
REFERENCE SERIES.

Medical Symbolism
IN CONNECTION WITH
HISTORICAL STUDIES IN THE ARTS OF
HEALING AND HYGIENE.

ILLUSTRATED.

BY
THOMAS S. SOZINSKEY, M.D., Ph.D.,
AUTHOR OF “THE CULTURE OF BEAUTY,” “THE CARE AND CULTURE OF CHILDREN,” ETC.

Philadelphia and London:
F. A. DAVIS, PUBLISHER.
1891.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1891, by
EDWARD S. POWER, M.D.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C., U. S. A.

Philadelphia:
The Medical Bulletin Printing House,
1231 Filbert Street.

DEDICATION.

The medical profession is often spoken of as non-progressive. As a practical member of it, the author is of a different opinion. He knows full-well not only that, to many, age does not tend to make anything medical more worthy of attention, but that the old is apt to be wilfully overlooked. He discovered some time ago that in the library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia—the centre, probably, of medical learning in the United States—Adams’ edition of the works of Hippocrates had rested with the leaves uncut for over twenty years. New things are far too much in vogue. If Bacon were alive to-day he might still say, with too much truth, as he said three hundred years ago: “Let a man look into physicians’ prescripts and ministrations and he will find them but inconstancies and every-day devices, without any settled providence or project” (“Advancement of Learning”). The age is too much one of trial, of incoherency, to be either eminently scientific or highly successful in practice. Beyond question, the medicine of the past is harmfully neglected; for its literature few have a desirable taste, and fewer yet a sufficient knowledge. Deploring this state of things, the author would gladly assist in bringing about a change. Hence, it affords him pleasure to dedicate this essay to his professional brethren.

PREFACE.

In this essay I have treated, as the title indicates, of medical symbolism in connection with studies, essentially historical, in the arts of healing and hygiene. Some parts of it bear only indirectly on the main subject; but they serve to render the whole more complete and interesting. Doubtless the reader will not be inclined to find much fault with any of the apparent digressions.

In the score of chapters into which the essay is divided, attention is invited to numerous more or less remarkable matters pertaining to medicine, most of them of very ancient date, and some of practical importance. Medical mythology is treated of very fully; and, on this, as indeed on all points, the results of the most recent archæological and other investigations are given. All I have said is deserving, I believe, of the consideration of educated physicians.[1] “The wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients,” says the author of “Ecclesiasticus,”[2] one who had the tastes of a cultivated medical man.

Although the essay is mainly on old things, I venture to hold that it contains much which a fairly well-read physician will find fresh. The ground gone over has been little trodden before. It may be said, as Pliny did, by way of suggestion of difficulties to be overcome, when he sat down to write his sketch of the history of the art of medicine, “that no one has hitherto treated of this subject.”[3] But just as Pliny overlooked what Celsus had done, and done well, so in this case, some worthy author may have been overlooked; still, this is improbable. What is here presented, and in part coherently, is gathered from manifold sources. I have limited my references as much as possible to works in the English language, or translations. The statements of authors are given in their own words; but quotations of wearisome length have been avoided.

The possibility of research in respect to the themes treated of, and allied ones, not being limited, the essay cannot be expected to be either perfect or complete. Whatever its merits or shortcomings may be, however, it is an outcome of congenial studies pursued for their own sake. I believe it contains a fund of information which deserves to be widely known. The perusal of it may, at least, serve to excite an interest in the ample literature and long and remarkable history of the benevolent and learned profession of medicine.

T. S. S.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF
THOMAS S. SOZINSKEY, M.D., Ph.D.

Thomas S. Sozinskey, M.D., Ph.D., the author of this interesting little volume, was born in County Derry, Ireland, and died in the city of Philadelphia, April 18, 1889, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. He came to this country when seventeen years of age, and settled in Philadelphia. Entering the University of Pennsylvania some years later, he graduated from that institution, and afterward began the study of medicine, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the year 1872. He also received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the same faculty.

Dr. Sozinskey immediately entered upon his career as medical practitioner in Philadelphia, where he remained until his marriage to Miss Abby W. Johnson, a daughter of Luke Johnson, who was a descendant of one of the founders of Germantown.

Shortly after his marriage Dr. Sozinskey decided to visit Kansas City, partly with the idea of locating there; but after a sojourn of about one year in the West he returned to Philadelphia, and began again the practice of his chosen profession, succeeding in a few years in building up a very extensive and lucrative practice in the northwestern section of the city.

Dr. Sozinskey was a man highly intellectual, studious, and scholarly. He was a frequent contributor to a number of leading medical journals, as well as the author of several well-known works, among which may be mentioned “The Care and Culture of Children.” Also, a little volume entitled “Personal Appearance and the Culture of Beauty.”

His last literary effort, “Medical Symbolism,” which is a work showing a vast amount of research, was completed just before his death. He was induced to undertake “Medical Symbolism” after the appearance of an article bearing this title in the Medical and Surgical Reporter, which attracted considerable attention, both in this country and in Europe.

He received so many letters from men prominent in the medical profession, suggesting that a book be written upon this subject, that the task was undertaken.

By his untimely death three small children became orphans, the mother having died one year earlier, after a short illness.

His readiness to attend the sick, regardless of compensation, greatly endeared him to a large number of the poor.

Containing, as it does, so much that is unique, and in a field not often touched by previous writers, “Medical Symbolism” is sure to find appreciative readers, not only among the fraternity to which Dr. Sozinskey belonged, but among the scientific and literary generally; and, from the encouragement already received, the publishers feel confident of a large and wide-spread demand for this little volume.

E. S. P.

Philadelphia, October 27, 1890.

COMMENDATORY LETTERS.

Philadelphia, Jan, 24, 1884.

Dr. T. S. Sozinskey:

Dear Sir:—Please accept my thanks for your paper on “Medical Symbolism,” received this morning. I have read it with great interest, more especially as it is in the direction of the higher education of physicians. The preponderance of the so-called practical (empirical) in medical literature, which appeals strongly to the trade element in the profession, makes such a contribution all the more enjoyable.

Very truly yours,

Frances Emily White.

1427 N. Sixteenth St.

Dr. Sozinskey:

Dear Doctor:—Many thanks. You ought to enlarge the article to a little book. It interested me greatly. In a bas-relief of myself by St. Gaudens, New York, he has set beside the head the caduceus and twin serpents as symbolical; at all events, they will symbolize my relation to snakes.

Yours truly,

Weir Mitchell.

1524 Walnut St., Phila.

Philadelphia, Jan. 23, 1884.

Dr. T. S. Sozinskey:

My Dear Doctor:—I write to thank you for a copy of your interesting and instructive paper on “Medical Symbolism.” In Fergusson, on “Tree and Serpent Worship,” which you quote, you can readily trace the connection between the emblems of religion and medicine. I recognize that, as priest and physician were once the same person, medicine is yet justly termed “the divine art.” It affords me much pleasure to see your studious interest in your profession.

Yours truly,

Henry H. Smith.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

	PAGE
Dedication,	[iii]
Preface,	[v]
Biographical Sketch of T. S. Sozinskey, M.D., Ph.D.,	[vii]
Commendatory Letters,	[ix]
CHAPTER I.
Remarks on the Meaning of Symbols,	[1]
CHAPTER II.
The Serpentine God of Medicine at Rome,	[5]
CHAPTER III.
The Æsculapian Serpent,	[13]
CHAPTER IV.
The Epidaurian Oracle,	[17]
CHAPTER V.
Asclepia and the Asclepiades,	[23]
CHAPTER VI.
The Grecian God of Medicine,	[31]
CHAPTER VII.
The Image of Æsculapius,	[45]
CHAPTER VIII.
The Æsculapian Staff and Serpent,	[49]
CHAPTER IX.
Æsculapius and the Serpent,	[59]
CHAPTER X.
Various Attributes of Æsculapius,	[83]
CHAPTER XI.
Gods Analogous to Æsculapius,	[89]
CHAPTER XII.
The Pine-Cone as an Attribute of Æsculapius,	[111]
CHAPTER XIII.
Dibbara, a God of Pestilence,	[119]
CHAPTER XIV.
Hygeia, the Goddess of Health,	[123]
CHAPTER XV.
Medical Talismans,	[129]
CHAPTER XVI.
Medical Amulets,	[137]
CHAPTER XVII.
Pharmacists’ Symbols,	[149]
CHAPTER XVIII.
Miscellaneous Medical Symbols,	[155]
CHAPTER XIX.
Medical Symbolism in Practice,	[161]
CHAPTER XX.
The Pentacle,	[165]