Pearls of Neonatal Intertrigo in Ancient Greek and Byzantine Medicine

Authors

  • Gregory Tsoucalas University Institute of History of Medicine, Claude Bernard University Lyon
  • Konstantinos Krasagakis Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete
  • Constantinos Pantos Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens
  • Marianna Karamanou University Institute of History of Medicine, Claude Bernard University Lyon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.223

Keywords:

Ancient Greece, Byzantium, Intertrigo, Botanology, Paediatric dermatology

Abstract

Objective. Confirmation of knowledge of neonatal intertrigo in ancient Greek and Byzantine medicine. Method: A search of Thesaurus Linguae Graecae was conducted with the following terms as key words, “syggama”, “xyggauma”, “paratrimma” and “ektrimma”.

Results: Ancient Greek medico-philosophers introduced therapeutic measures based upon herbs and minerals, while a similar therapeutic approach was also used by the Byzantines. Hippocrates of Kos (460-377) was among the first to introduce written instructions, also proposing preventive treatment with palliative and aromatic herbs. Cataplasms, thalassotherapy, and fumigation were used, combined with hygienic measures in the affected area. Chalk powder was also prescribed to absorb moisture.

Conclusion. The main principles in the treatment of intertrigo remain the same, celebrating the ancient Greeks’methodology and rationalism.

Ðorđe Mihajlović (1875-1919), “Old Tuzla” (1918)

Downloads

Published

25.06.2018

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 1 (2018)

Section

Historical Articles

How to Cite

Pearls of Neonatal Intertrigo in Ancient Greek and Byzantine Medicine. (2018). Acta Medica Academica, 47(1), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.5644/ama2006-124.223

Most read articles by the same author(s)