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Year 2019, Volume: 32 Issue: 2, 94 - 96, 31.05.2019
https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.571589

Abstract

References

  • 1. Dioscorides describing the mandrake. Oil painting by Ernest Board. Credit: Wellcome Collection, Wellcome Library, London, UK. Available at: http://wellcomeimages.org/ indexplus/result.html (Accessed: 16 May, 2018)
  • 2. National Institute of Health (2012) Greek medicine. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/greek/greek_dioscorides. html (Accessed: 14 April 2018)
  • 3. Kobs M. The root of all evil? – The mandrake myth in German literature from 1673 to 1913. Masters thesis. University of Missouri. Available at: https://mospace. umsystem.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10355/6554/research. pdf?sequence=3 2009 (Accessed: 11 April 2018)
  • 4. Trueman, S. Ancient botanists. Available at: http://botany. about.com/od/HistoryBotany/a/Early-Botanists.htm 2015 (Accessed: 18 April 2018).
  • 5. Riddle J. Book Review: De Materia Medica. Med Hist 2006;50: 553-4.
  • 6. Cranch RL. The legacy of Dioscorides. Available at: http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/ dioscorides.aspx 1997 (Accessed: 11 April 2018)
  • 7. De Vos P. European Materia Medica in historical texts: Longevity of a tradition and implications for future use. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;132:28-47. doi:10.1016/j. jep.2010.05.035.
  • 8. Scarborough J, Nutton V. The Preface of Dioscorides’ Materia Medica: introduction, translation, and commentary. Trans Stud Coll Physicians Phila 1982;4:187-227.
  • 9. Osborn D. Dioscorides. Available at: http://www. greekmedicine.net/whos_who/Dioscorides.html 2015 (Accessed: 12 April 2018).

De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together

Year 2019, Volume: 32 Issue: 2, 94 - 96, 31.05.2019
https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.571589

Abstract

This essay interprets and analyses the painting called “Dioscorides
describing the mandrake”, which is currently located in a
permanent exhibition at Wellcome Collection in London, UK.
The painting features Pedanius Dioscorides, a Greek botanist
and pharmacologist who practiced in the Roman Empire during
the rule of Nero. Dioscorides is known for his influential De
Materia Medica, a five-volume book on medicinal uses of various
plants and herbs. What makes this script special and influential
is that it included a vast amount of herbs, detailed descriptions,
scientific observations, as well as a scientific classification and
order. Upon reflection on this piece of art, I am reminded of the
medical realm that we are gradually becoming a part of as medical
students. There is immense passion, knowledge and intelligence
in how medicine became modern medicine today. For me, the
painting on Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica is a compelling visual
representation of centuries – long endeavor.

References

  • 1. Dioscorides describing the mandrake. Oil painting by Ernest Board. Credit: Wellcome Collection, Wellcome Library, London, UK. Available at: http://wellcomeimages.org/ indexplus/result.html (Accessed: 16 May, 2018)
  • 2. National Institute of Health (2012) Greek medicine. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/greek/greek_dioscorides. html (Accessed: 14 April 2018)
  • 3. Kobs M. The root of all evil? – The mandrake myth in German literature from 1673 to 1913. Masters thesis. University of Missouri. Available at: https://mospace. umsystem.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10355/6554/research. pdf?sequence=3 2009 (Accessed: 11 April 2018)
  • 4. Trueman, S. Ancient botanists. Available at: http://botany. about.com/od/HistoryBotany/a/Early-Botanists.htm 2015 (Accessed: 18 April 2018).
  • 5. Riddle J. Book Review: De Materia Medica. Med Hist 2006;50: 553-4.
  • 6. Cranch RL. The legacy of Dioscorides. Available at: http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/ dioscorides.aspx 1997 (Accessed: 11 April 2018)
  • 7. De Vos P. European Materia Medica in historical texts: Longevity of a tradition and implications for future use. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;132:28-47. doi:10.1016/j. jep.2010.05.035.
  • 8. Scarborough J, Nutton V. The Preface of Dioscorides’ Materia Medica: introduction, translation, and commentary. Trans Stud Coll Physicians Phila 1982;4:187-227.
  • 9. Osborn D. Dioscorides. Available at: http://www. greekmedicine.net/whos_who/Dioscorides.html 2015 (Accessed: 12 April 2018).
There are 9 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Clinical Sciences
Journal Section Art and Medicine
Authors

Elif Ozdogan This is me

Publication Date May 31, 2019
Published in Issue Year 2019 Volume: 32 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Ozdogan, E. (2019). De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together. Marmara Medical Journal, 32(2), 94-96. https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.571589
AMA Ozdogan E. De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together. Marmara Med J. May 2019;32(2):94-96. doi:10.5472/marumj.571589
Chicago Ozdogan, Elif. “De Materia Medica: Where Art and Scientific Principles Pome Together”. Marmara Medical Journal 32, no. 2 (May 2019): 94-96. https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.571589.
EndNote Ozdogan E (May 1, 2019) De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together. Marmara Medical Journal 32 2 94–96.
IEEE E. Ozdogan, “De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together”, Marmara Med J, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 94–96, 2019, doi: 10.5472/marumj.571589.
ISNAD Ozdogan, Elif. “De Materia Medica: Where Art and Scientific Principles Pome Together”. Marmara Medical Journal 32/2 (May 2019), 94-96. https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.571589.
JAMA Ozdogan E. De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together. Marmara Med J. 2019;32:94–96.
MLA Ozdogan, Elif. “De Materia Medica: Where Art and Scientific Principles Pome Together”. Marmara Medical Journal, vol. 32, no. 2, 2019, pp. 94-96, doi:10.5472/marumj.571589.
Vancouver Ozdogan E. De materia medica: where art and scientific principles pome together. Marmara Med J. 2019;32(2):94-6.