Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Summer 2016

  • Paradise Lost – John Milton

      Before his final expulsion from paradise Adam was taken to the highest mountain in the garden, where the archangel Michael showed him what misery the future will bring to man: Immediately a place Before his eyes appeared, sad, noisome, dark; A lazar-house it seemed; wherein were laid Numbers of all diseased; all maladies Of…

  • The art of breastfeeding

    Bojana CokićZajecar, Serbia Breastfeeding is the greatest and most precious gift of nature that a mother can give to her child. It is the foundation of life, a healthy start strengthening the bond between mother and child. The mother feels warmth and love when she embraces her child. The child feels serenity, joy, and warmth…

  • Saint Apollonia, patron saint of odontology

    Anna Lantz Stockholm, Sweden   Image of Saint Apollonia within the initial “V” of the prayer Virgo Apollonia. Parchment breviary, Flanders, c. 1400. Photo by Anna Lantz. Six miniatures from the back side, none of which depicts Saint Apollonia. Parchment breviary, Flanders, c. 1400. Photo by Anna Lantz. Saint Apollonia was from a Greek family…

  • The village’s physician

    Alexandru Sonoc Sibiu, Romania   In a peasant house a sick woman lies in bed. An old physician is writing a prescription on a table on which there are already three small bottles of medicine. He is surrounded by the patient’s relatives, concerned but full of hope, all wearing traditional peasant costumes. An old man…

  • Francisco Goya’s “black period”

    Alejandro GoyriCarlos Valverde-RMéxico City, México In his so-called “black period,” Francisco Goya created a series of oil paintings, engravings, and drawings that depict witches and mentally or physically disabled individuals. This is particularly clear in the “Witches’ Sabbath” (1819-1823), in which the facial expression of most of the characters (especially of the young seated woman…

  • Lord Howard Florey and the use of visual art in medicine

    Vincent CracoliciChicago, Illinois, United States Art and medicine: Skills for creative problem solving Despite similar training, all physicians are not equally skilled in recognizing and solving clinical problems. Those who have been remarkably innovative in their specialty often share similar characteristics with one another. Though gifted in the technical aspects of their fields, many of…

  • William Sanger – The artist as health activist

    Markley BoyerGlenmoore, Pennsylvania, United States Margaret Sanger (1879-1966), birth control advocate, founder of Planned Parenthood and acknowledged leader in the quest for female reproductive freedom was one of the principal health and women’s right’s figures of the last century. Rebellious, unconventional, and with often unyielding positions on the right of a woman to have control…

  • A Simple Cure

    Huy D. Phan Aurora, Colorado, USA     Photo by Elisa Paolini On the wards, time is limited. Always writing notes, rounding, learning. There is seldom a chance to sit and talk With the people called patients. But from time to time, Notes are completed before noon, Rounds are productive and efficient, Teaching sessions are…

  • Age and Aging

    Myron F. Weiner, M.D. Dallas, Texas   Age, a mere number, is neither enemy nor friend. Aging Stirs us from primordium Though maturation To our universal fate. Age measures our finitude Aging, our fortitude. Adding strength when young Stripping when old Of sensibilities Of strength Leaving only lassitude. The years are not to be feared,…

  • Sweet Success

    Ralph GreenSacramento, California, USA The chocolatiers were smiling at their unexpected luckWithout a cent of ad expense they stood to make a buck.A scholar in NEJM 1 first pompously opinedThat choc-o -late ingestion may emancipate the mindAnd lead to creativity as well as high acclaimNot just for noble enterprise but also to great fame.Indeed the…