J.ophthalmol.(Ukraine).2021;2:72-79.
http://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh202127279
Received: 07 September 2020; Published on-line: 19 April 2021
Symbols of ophthalmology and famous Ukrainian oculists in the mirror of numismatics
O. V. Syniachenko, V. M. Iermolaeva, K. V. Liventsova, S. M. Verzilov, V. V. Gerasimenko
Donetsk National Medical University; Lyman (Ukraine)
E-mail: synyachenko@ukr.net
TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Syniachenko O. V., Iermolaeva V. M., Liventsova K. V., Verzilov S. M., Gerasimenko V. V. Symbols of ophthalmology and famous Ukrainian oculists in the mirror of numismatics. J.ophthalmol.(Ukraine).2021;2:72-79. http://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh202127279
Ophthalmology has a long history which is represented on numismatic materials. The branch of historical science numismatics (from the Latin "numisma" – coin) originated in the 19th century and became closely related to economics, politics, culture and law, and includes the thematic study of coins, medals and plaques. The history of ophthalmology is best illustrated by various forms of medal art (exonum or paranumism), and the medal became the prototype of a commemorative (memorial) coin. In this work, the authors presented a catalog of 127 numismatic materials (105 medals, 6 plaques, and 16 coins), including some unique ones, presented for the first time. Numismatic materials depicting common international symbols of this science ("eye", including "eye on the palm", "owl", "pince-nez", "candle") were reflected and the stages of development of native ophthalmology presented. The paper includes also references to significant historical events in ophthalmology and a highlight of biographies of 16 scientists who contributed invaluably to the formation of this science and whose lives were associated with Ukraine. The medals show the portraits of the ancient Kyiv doctor Agapetus and the founders of modern world ophthalmology. Unfortunately, up to date, eminent oculists of the past have been not sufficiently commemorated by issues of numismatic pieces. Hence, it is our hope that in the future, a systematic approach to this matter as well as the purposeful promotion of the achievements of national ophthalmology by numismatics will be used, to provide a clear example for studying the history of ophthalmology and enhance the educational attainment of doctors.
Keywords: medicine, ophthalmology, history, numismatics
References
1.Sarkisov AS, Sarkisov SA. [The origins of Moscow ophthalmological society]. Vestn Oftalmol. 2018;134(6):129-132. Russian.
2.Laios K, Karamanou M, Chatziioannou A, Nikolopoulos T, Moschos MM, Androutsos G. Views on ocular cancer in Arabo-Islamic medicine and the leading influence of the ancient Greek medicine. J BUON. Jan-Feb 2016;21(1):276-8.
3.Tsoucalas G, Papaioannou T, Karamanou M. Michael Constantine Psellus (1020-1105 AD) and his definition of strabismus. Strabismus. 2018 Sep;26(3):155-157.
4.Bieganowski L. State of ophthalmology in ancient Rome. Klin Oczna. 2004. 2004;106(1-2):126-33.
5.Tabatabaei SM, Sabetkish N, Tabatabaei SM. Ophthalmology in Persian medicine. J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2014 Dec 3;7:19.
6.Tamas LT, Mudry A. Endre Hőgyes (1847-1906), forgotten father of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Otol Neurotol. 2019 Oct;40(9):e938-e943.
7.Grzybowski A, Kanclerz P. Tadeusz Krwawicz, MD: The inventor of cryosurgery in ophthalmology. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2019 May;29(3):348-356.
8.Kunzmann R. The Saint Eligius, his life and work and his traces in numismatics. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2014 Jan;156(1):13-6.
9.Magil'nitskiĭ SG. [Ophthalmology in numismatics]. Vestn Oftalmol. 1968 Nov-Dec;81(6):87-8. Russian.
10.Galst JM. Ophthalmological numismatics. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001 Nov;119(11):1709.
11.Györffy I. Ophthalmological medals and coins. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 1975 Jan;166(1):114-25. German.
12.Salacz G, Vértes L. [Award medals in Hungarian ophthalmology]. Orv Hetil. 2008 Nov 2;149(44):2097-9. Hungarian.
13.Jaeger W. Numismatic history of the von Graefe Medal of the German Ophthalmological Society. Klin Oczna. Apr-May 1988;90(4-5):186-7.
14.Pearn J. Enduring biographic heritage – medical numismatics. J Med Biogr. 2019 May;27(2):108-115.
15.Mayer R. [The history of a medal (part 2)]. Rev Med Brux. Nov-Dec 2011;32(6):553-9. French.
16.Popkin RJ. Medicine in numismatics. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1961 Nov;113:657-60.
17.Etienne D. [The eye as a symbol]. Soins. 2010 Apr;(744):41-2. French.
18.Benitez-Herreros J, Lopez-Guajardo L. Vladimir Petrovich Filatov, one of the fathers of corneal transplant. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2016 Jul;91(7):e67-8.