Open AccessMedical Symbols in Practice: Myths vs Reality
Author(s) -
Anil Shetty,
Shraddha Shetty,
Oliver Dsouza
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2014/10029.4730
Subject(s) - emblem , symbol (formal) , logo (programming language) , mythology , lute , medical knowledge , medicine , art , classics , visual arts , medical education , computer science , philosophy , linguistics , programming language
The caduceus is the popular symbol of medicine. However, premier health organizations and regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Medical Council of India use a different symbol- the rod of Asclepius in their logo. There is an increasing awareness and recognition that the caduceus is a false symbol and has no historical substantiation as an emblem of medicine. Many academic and health institutions in the western hemisphere have changed their logo as a consequence. There are other symbols of medicine which are similarly misunderstood.