Tag: Vignette
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Ancient Chinese medicine
Chinese medicine represents one of the oldest systems in history. It views the human body as an integrated whole where physical health affects mental wellbeing while requiring environmental balance. The core principle of Chinese medicine includes the vital energy called qi (pronounced “chee”) which flows through the body. A proper flow of qi maintains health,…
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Plato’s thoughts on illness, medicine, and doctors
In Plato’s philosophical works, particularly in The Republic and Timaeus, we find significant reflections on illness, medicine, and the role of doctors in society. These reflections reveal Plato’s holistic understanding of health as harmony and his views on the proper practice of medicine. For Plato, health represents a state of harmony and balance within the…
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The novels of Karl May: Myth, adventure, and cultural impact
Karl May (1842–1912) remains one of the most popular and widely read authors in the German-speaking world, renowned for his prolific output of adventure novels that captivated generations of readers. Although his name is less familiar outside of Europe, his imaginative works—particularly those set in the American West and the Middle East—have left a lasting…
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Medical aspects of the Mystery of Edwin Drood
Charles Dickens’ last novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, remains forever unfinished due to the author’s death in 1870, leaving readers with an enduring literary puzzle. While primarily a mystery narrative, the novel contains several fascinating medical elements that provide insight into both Victorian medicine and Dickens’ own understanding of human psychology and physiology. Central…
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Le Cid by Pierre Corneille
Le Cid is a five-act French play written by Pierre Corneille, first performed in December 1636 in Paris. It is based on Guillén de Castro’s Las Mocedades del Cid, which itself draws from the legend of El Cid, a Spanish national hero. Pierre Corneille, born in 1606 and died in 1684, was writing during what…
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Akshamsaddin from a medical point of view
The Ottoman scholar Akshamsaddin (Muhammad Shams al-Din bin Hamzah, 1389–1459) is remembered more often as the mentor and advisor to Sultan Mehmed II rather than as a physician who contributed remarkably to the medical knowledge of his time. Born in Damascus, he acquired in his youth a significant knowledge of medicine and pharmacology, derived from…
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The history of typhus
Typhus exanthematicus is an old disease long confused with typhoid fever. Some historians believe that it caused the Plague of Athens as described by Thucydides, and that it was introduced into Europe by the Spanish soldiers returning from the Americas in the sixteenth century. It likely caused the severe epidemic occurring during the confrontations between…
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Jules Verne’s novels
Jules Verne, the celebrated 19th-century French author, is primarily known for his science fiction works that anticipated many technological innovations. His approach to writing was rooted in scientific research: Before penning his novels, he meticulously studied scientific journals and consulted with experts across various fields. This approach allowed him to incorporate authentic medical knowledge into…
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Cuore: The heart of Italian literature and society
Cuore, which means “heart” in Italian, is one of the most influential works in Italian literature. Written by Edmondo De Amicis and published in 1886, this novel has become a fundamental text in Italian culture and education. Through its narrative structure and emotional depth, Cuore captures the essence of Italy during a crucial period of…
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The mythology of the Sun Fountain in Nice, France
Arpan K. BanerjeeSolihull, England In Place Masséna, a historic square named after Napoleon’s greatest general, near the old town area of Nice, France, there is a grand fountain in the Baroque style named the Fontaine du Soleil, or the “Sun Fountain.” In the center of the fountain stands a marble sculpture depicting the god Apollo…