It’s been a while i know, the pressures of revision seem to have taken their toll. Most everyone seems to be simultaneously pulling their socks up, getting both cracking and stuck in, buckling down, i could go on. I actually probably couldn’t, run out of metaphors innit.
Anyway the subject of this post is something that has been bothering me for a while now. It is the gross, rampant misuse of the Caduceus as a symbol for the medical profession. What the hell am i talking about? Let me show you:
This is the rod wielded in mythology by Hermes. For anyone that hasn’t seen Hercules, Hermes was the messenger of the gods, also of travel in general; this is taken from Encyclopedia Mythica:
“Hermes is the god of shepherds, land travel, merchants, weights and measures, oratory, literature, athletics and thieves, and known for his cunning and shrewdness”
Brilliant. After all, this is exactly what medicine stands for, shrewdness.
So how did this come about? Well it’s thought to be down the the US army mistakenly adopting it in the early 20th century, from here the associations spread. It’s since been abandoned, but still the connection remained. Don’t believe me? It’s even on our PDS portfolio THIS YEAR:
Nice one guys.
So, what’s the right symbol? Well, it’s got only one snake, and no wings, and it is called the Rod of Asclepius:
This rod is associated with the greek god Asclepius, who is the god of MEDICINE. Much better.
As a NB, this also probably what i’ll get as tattoo, if i ever graduate…
If you get drunk enough to get it done, so will I.
I’ll hold you to that.
Ben, you know he was always going to get it done right?
i’ll be honest, i was really, REALLY hoping that “snake” was a clever med student euphamism for cock, and this was going to be a thread about a freak of nature with two “snakes” or about spit roasting etc.
blogging isnt supposed to be intelligent. having “learned something” from this i feel the need to watch internet porn for 7 solid hours to kill everything i know about Hermes that i have aquired.
good timez.