Otorhinolaryngology or otolaryngology? An etymological approach.

The variety and the confusion over the name of many medical terms, including otorhinolaryngological ones prompted us to search their etymology. The term "otorhinolaryngology" (combined form from the ancient Greek words :ous, rhina, larynx, and logos) and the term indicating the specialized doctor who practices "0torhinolaryngology," widely known as ENT in a brief version, are being examined. The investigation leads us to see which of these terms is the appropriate and etymologically correct one, and to support clearly the term "otorhinolaryngology" instead of "otolaryngology" and "otorhinolaryngologist" instead of "ENT."

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: V - hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus was a recognizable medical problem during the Byzantine period. In the medical texts of the time it was attributed to the pressure that was applied on the newborn's head during labour. The suggested treatments focused on the relief of the symptoms only and surgical methods were believed to be helpful in very rare cases.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: VI - ocular diseases.

Ocular manifestations were recognizable and are reported in the Byzantine medical treatises from the 4th to the 15th century AD. Herbal, mineral and chemical substances in the form of collyria were used by the Byzantine physicians for the treatment of ocular abnormalities and ophthalmic diseases of the childhood. Surgical intervention was not recommended at this age.

Management of childhood diseases in the Byzantine period: VII - epilepsy.

Epilepsy was referred to as a serious medical problem with poor outcome by the Byzantine physicians. For the treatment they suggested herbal or animal substances in many different forms, but they stressed the importance of a proper diet. In their efforts to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the onset as well as the course of the disease they were influenced by the Hippocratic tradition of juices.

Therapeutic methods used for otolaryngological problems during the Byzantine period.

Evidence of herbal, animal, and chemical substances from the natural world used in medicines for otolaryngological problems, including opium, hyoscyamus, barley, honey, dried beans and peas, olives, fruits, Agaricus, castoreum, cassia, and afronitron, was traced in the Byzantine medical treatises, mainly from the 4th century AD to the 15th century AD. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios of Pergamos, Aetios of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paul Aeginitis, Leon Iatrosophistis, Theophanis Nonnos, Nickolaos Myrepsos, Michael Psellos, and others strongly suggest the influence of ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time stress original medical thought. The main otolaryngological problems encountered in that period were loss of hearing, purulent otitis, rupture of the tympanic membrane, pharyngitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, acute tonsillitis, seasickness, vertigo, fracture of the nose, and cancers of the ear, larynx, nose, and oral cavity. The tradition stating that remedies were the final products of substance combinations, started in the classical period (5th and 4th centuries BC), is presented clearly and in detail in Byzantine prescriptions related to otolaryngology.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: III-- respiratory diseases of childhood.

Evidence on herbal, veterinary and chemical substances used in various forms for respiratory problems of childhood such as acute otitis, acute tonsillitis and parotitis was investigated in the Byzantine medical treatizes, from the 4th to the 15th century ad. The problem of asthma in childhood was well known during the Byzantine period. Despite the existent Hippocratic tradition, the physicians of the times developed their own methods of treatment. The texts of Antyllus, Orivasios from Pergamos, Aetius of Amida, Alexander of Tralles, Paulus Aeginitis, Theophanis Nonnos and others, strongly suggest influences from ancient Greek and Roman medicine, but at the same time indicate an original medical thought.

Management of childhood diseases during the Byzantine period: IV -- juvenile diabetes mellitus.

Although Byzantine physicians seemed to recognize the clinical entity and the symptoms of juvenile diabetes mellitus very well, they did not mention many details about the treatment of the disease. Most probably they treated the young patients in the same way as the adults. It is worth mentioning that diabetes was considered a difficult medical problem.

Management of childhood diseases in the Byzantine period: I -- analgesia.

Evidence on the use of pain relievers for medical purposes in childhood was traced in medical treatises during Byzantine times (4th to 15th century ad). The texts of Aetius, Paulus Aeginitis, Orivasios and others strongly reveal influences from ancient Greek medicine. Greek physicians of the times, who helped the medical thinking of antiquity to stay alive, used opium with mandragoras, hyoscyamos and other sedative herbs to produce a kind of anesthetic state and to relieve pain. However, in children's cases they chose to selectively use substances in more standardized quantities, mainly in mixtures. Less aggressive methods such as warm baths, or appropriate food were highly respected by them and recommended for the treatment of sick children.

Management of childhood diseases in the Byzantine period: II - exanthematic diseases.

The aim of this review was to explore the procedures used for the treatment of childhood exanthematic diseases during the Byzantine period. The most often reported ones were psoriasis, undefined rashes in parts of the body, ulcerous rashes, blisters, lichens and soaked ulcers. The physicians of the period managed the above problems with appropriate diet and remedies of herbal, veterinary and chemical origin in the form of baths, poultices and concoctions. They largely based their principles on the ancient Greek medical tradition. Their accurate remarks were reflected in their terminology. Many of the terms of this period are still in use, although current treatment modalities are quite different from the Byzantine remedies.