Why paleomedicine is useful for medical education.

What is the place of medico-historical cases in the professional practice of the disciplinary field of medicine and biology? How can these patients from the past be used for teaching and continuing medical education? How to justify their place in biomedical publications? In this article, we explain all the legitimacy of paleomedicine, and the need to intensify such research in the form of a well-individualised branch of paleopathology and the history of medicine.

Reestablishing rigor in archaeological parasitology.

Archaeological parasitology originated in the mid-twentieth century with interdisciplinary teams of specialists directed by archaeologists. The goals of such studies were detailed analyses of dietary, medicinal, and environmental factors that shaped the patterns of infection. By the 1970s, a cadre of unique coprolite analysts was trained to analyze macroscopic and microscopic remains for integrated reconstructions of the cultural determinants of parasitism. During these first phases of research, diagnostic rigor was maintained by direct training of specialists in parasitology and archaeology sub-disciplines including archaeobotany and archaeopalynology. Near the end of the twentieth century, however, "paleoparasitology" was defined as a separate field focusing on defining parasite distribution through time and space. Ironically, this focus resulted in an increase in misdiagnosis, especially prominent after 2000. Paleoparasitology does not explicitly include other specialized studies in it research design. Thus, dietary, environmental and medicinal inferences have been neglected or lost as samples were destroyed solely for the purpose of parasitological analysis. Without ancillary archaeological studies, paleoparasitology runs the risk of separation from archaeological context, thereby reducing its value to the archaeologists who recover samples for analysis.

[Brief history of paleopathology in Italy]. / Cenni di storia della paleopatologia in Italia.

In the last decades, paleopathologists have developed a growing interest in archaeological, anthropological, and medical disciplines. However, although there have been satisfactory results, which are reflected in numerous publications at the international level and in academic credits that,for example, have led to the establishment of an autonomous Division of Paleopathology (unique in an Italian University) at the Faculty of Medicine in Pisa, the future seems not so bright. Indeed, the lack of general interest that Italian institutions have shown toward research and the reduction of ministerial financial support, will result not only in a lack of a generational turnover among researchers, but also in the suspension or closure of the few paleopathology courses that are now running, and in the layoff of the small but excellent study groups currently working in the field.

[The School of Palaeopathology of Turin: from the histology of mummified tissues to the monitoring and programmed conservation of the mummies of the Egyptian Museum and the Anthropology Museum]. / La Scuola di Paleopatologia di Torino: dall'istologia dei tessuti mummificati al monitoraggio e alla conservazione programmata delle mummie del Museo Egizio e del Museo di Antropologia.

Scientific analyses, frequent revisions of historical collections and unsuitable preservation conditions in storage and display environments can cause damage to the anthropological patrimony. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish criteria for the correct conservation of anthropological material according to a "standard of quality". Within the context of a broad and complex view of the protection of anthropological materials, the methodology followed by the research group is aimed at identifying a series of primary (diagnostic) and supportive (therapeutic) interactive processes. The final purpose of these processes is the programmed management of each specimen which is able to identify and control the activities necessary for conservation of the material.

[A didactical experience about "paleonutrition"]. / Un'esperienza didattica in tema id "paleonutrizione".

The item arises from an "elective" Paleopathology course suggested for students graduating in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milan. This course discussed subjects as: molecular paleobiology, tumors and infectious paleopathology, paleonutrition, paleopathological museums and history of medicine. The author dealt with the "paleonutrition" subject. Extremely actual aspects emerged which drew the students' attention.

Some historical problems connected with the study of Egyptian mummies.

The present essay is intended to call attention to three problems or areas of investigation that are connected with the study of Egyptian mummies. In each instance a supply of evidence exists and more can probably be found; and in each area much could be learned from historical analysis of appropriate breadth and depth.