Articella: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:03, 23 March 2025

Medieval medical compendium

The Articella was a seminal medical compendium used extensively in the teaching of medicine during the Middle Ages. It served as a foundational text for medical students and practitioners in Europe, particularly from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The collection was a compilation of various classical medical texts, which were considered essential for the study and practice of medicine at the time.

Origins and Composition[edit]

The Articella originated in the 11th century as a collection of medical treatises that were initially compiled in the School of Salerno, one of the earliest and most influential medical schools in medieval Europe. The compendium was later expanded and widely disseminated across Europe, becoming a standard text in medical education.

The core of the Articella consisted of several key texts:

Isagoge by Johannitius (Hunayn ibn Ishaq), which served as an introduction to the art of medicine.
Aphorisms by Hippocrates, a collection of medical aphorisms that provided practical guidance for physicians.
Prognostics by Hippocrates, which focused on the prediction of disease outcomes.
On Regimen in Acute Diseases by Hippocrates, discussing dietary and lifestyle management in acute illnesses.
Tegni (Articella) by Galen, a concise summary of Galenic medicine.
On Urines by Theophilus Protospatharius, a treatise on the diagnostic significance of urine examination.
On Pulses by Philaretus, which explored the diagnostic value of pulse examination.

Influence and Legacy[edit]

The Articella played a crucial role in the transmission of medical knowledge from the ancient world to the medieval and early modern periods. It was used as a primary teaching tool in many of the emerging universities of Europe, such as those in Paris, Bologna, and Oxford.

The text was often accompanied by commentaries from prominent medieval scholars, which helped to interpret and expand upon the original works. These commentaries were instrumental in adapting ancient medical knowledge to the contemporary understanding of the time.

Manuscripts and Editions[edit]

Numerous manuscripts of the Articella have survived, reflecting its widespread use and importance. These manuscripts were often richly decorated and illustrated, indicating the value placed on the text by its owners.

The Articella was also among the first medical texts to be printed following the invention of the printing press. The first printed edition appeared in 1476, and several subsequent editions were published, each incorporating additional commentaries and updates.

Decline and Replacement[edit]

By the late 16th century, the Articella began to decline in prominence as new medical discoveries and texts emerged. The rise of anatomy and the works of Andreas Vesalius and others shifted the focus of medical education away from the traditional texts of the Articella.

Related Pages[edit]

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-{{short description|A skin infection caused by ''Mycobacterium marinum''}}
+{{Short description|Medieval medical compendium}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-'''Aquarium granuloma''', also known as '''fish tank granuloma''', is a skin infection caused by the bacterium ''[[Mycobacterium marinum]]''. This condition is typically associated with exposure to aquatic environments, particularly those involving fish tanks or aquariums. The infection is characterized by the development of granulomatous lesions on the skin, often on the hands or arms, where contact with contaminated water or fish has occurred.
+The '''Articella''' was a seminal medical compendium used extensively in the teaching of medicine during the Middle Ages. It served as a foundational text for medical students and practitioners in Europe, particularly from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The collection was a compilation of various classical medical texts, which were considered essential for the study and practice of medicine at the time.
-==Pathophysiology==
+==Origins and Composition==
-''Mycobacterium marinum'' is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium that thrives in aquatic environments. It is closely related to ''[[Mycobacterium tuberculosis]]'', the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis, but it primarily affects the skin rather than the lungs. The bacterium enters the body through small cuts or abrasions in the skin when an individual handles fish or cleans aquariums. Once inside the body, it causes a localized infection that leads to the formation of granulomas, which are small areas of inflammation due to the immune system's response to the bacteria.
+The ''Articella'' originated in the [[11th century]] as a collection of medical treatises that were initially compiled in the [[School of Salerno]], one of the earliest and most influential medical schools in medieval Europe. The compendium was later expanded and widely disseminated across Europe, becoming a standard text in medical education.
-==Clinical Presentation==
+The core of the ''Articella'' consisted of several key texts:
-The infection typically presents as a single or multiple nodular lesions on the skin, often appearing as reddish or purplish bumps. These lesions are usually painless but can become tender or ulcerated over time. The most common sites of infection are the hands, fingers, and forearms, reflecting the areas most likely to come into contact with contaminated water.
+* ''[[Isagoge]]'' by [[Johannitius]] (Hunayn ibn Ishaq), which served as an introduction to the art of medicine.
+* ''[[Aphorisms]]'' by [[Hippocrates]], a collection of medical aphorisms that provided practical guidance for physicians.
+* ''[[Prognostics]]'' by Hippocrates, which focused on the prediction of disease outcomes.
+* ''[[On Regimen in Acute Diseases]]'' by Hippocrates, discussing dietary and lifestyle management in acute illnesses.
+* ''[[Tegni]]'' (''Articella'') by [[Galen]], a concise summary of Galenic medicine.
+* ''[[On Urines]]'' by [[Theophilus Protospatharius]], a treatise on the diagnostic significance of urine examination.
+* ''[[On Pulses]]'' by [[Philaretus]], which explored the diagnostic value of pulse examination.
-==Diagnosis==
+==Influence and Legacy==
-Diagnosis of aquarium granuloma is based on clinical presentation, patient history, and laboratory tests. A skin biopsy may be performed to identify the presence of ''Mycobacterium marinum'' through culture or molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is important to differentiate this condition from other skin infections and granulomatous diseases.
+The ''Articella'' played a crucial role in the transmission of medical knowledge from the ancient world to the medieval and early modern periods. It was used as a primary teaching tool in many of the emerging universities of Europe, such as those in [[Paris]], [[Bologna]], and [[Oxford]].
-==Treatment==
+The text was often accompanied by commentaries from prominent medieval scholars, which helped to interpret and expand upon the original works. These commentaries were instrumental in adapting ancient medical knowledge to the contemporary understanding of the time.
-Treatment of aquarium granuloma involves the use of antibiotics effective against ''Mycobacterium marinum''. Commonly used antibiotics include clarithromycin, doxycycline, and rifampin. Treatment duration can be lengthy, often requiring several months to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove persistent lesions.
-==Prevention==
+==Manuscripts and Editions==
-Preventive measures include wearing protective gloves when handling fish or cleaning aquariums, and ensuring that any cuts or abrasions on the skin are covered. Maintaining good hygiene and regularly cleaning aquariums can also reduce the risk of infection.
+[[File:Articella,_Vaticanus_Palatinus_lat._1102.jpg|Articella manuscript, Vaticanus Palatinus lat. 1102|thumb|right]]
+Numerous manuscripts of the ''Articella'' have survived, reflecting its widespread use and importance. These manuscripts were often richly decorated and illustrated, indicating the value placed on the text by its owners.
-==Related pages==
+The ''Articella'' was also among the first medical texts to be printed following the invention of the printing press. The first printed edition appeared in [[1476]], and several subsequent editions were published, each incorporating additional commentaries and updates.
-* [[Mycobacterium marinum]]
-* [[Granuloma]]
-* [[Skin infection]]
-* [[Non-tuberculous mycobacteria]]
-==Gallery==
+==Decline and Replacement==
-<gallery>
+By the late 16th century, the ''Articella'' began to decline in prominence as new medical discoveries and texts emerged. The rise of [[anatomy]] and the works of [[Andreas Vesalius]] and others shifted the focus of medical education away from the traditional texts of the ''Articella''.
-File:Infektionsgranulom_Hand_-_Infektion_mit_Mycobacterium_marinum.png|Granulomatous lesion on the hand caused by ''Mycobacterium marinum''.
-</gallery>
-[[Category:Skin conditions resulting from physical factors]]
+==Related Pages==
-[[Category:Mycobacterium-related cutaneous conditions]]
+* [[School of Salerno]]
-<gallery>
+* [[Hippocrates]]
-File:Articella,_Vaticanus_Palatinus_lat._1102.jpg
+* [[Galen]]
-</gallery>
+* [[Medieval medicine of Western Europe]]
+[[Category:Medieval medical works]]
+[[Category:History of medicine]]
+[[Category:Medical education]]