History of dermatology

Readily visible alterations of the skin surface have been recognized since the dawn of history, with some being treated, and some not. One of the earliest known sources documenting skin ailments is the Ebers Papyrus, a medical document from ancient Egypt dating to around 1500 BC. It describes various skin diseases, including ulcers, rashes, and tumors, and prescribes surgery and ointments to treat the ailments.

In 1572, Geronimo Mercuriali of Forlì, Italy, completed De morbis cutaneis (translated "On the diseases of the skin"), and is known as the first scientific work to be dedicated to dermatology. One source lists Jean Astruc (1684-1766) as the founder of modern dermatology. In 1799, Francesco Bianchi wrote the book Dermatologia which is the first comprehensive textbook of modern dermatology written for the students of medicine.

In 1801 the first great school of dermatology became a reality at the famous Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris, while the first textbooks (Willan's, 1798–1808) and atlases (Alibert's, 1806–1814) appeared in print during the same period of time.

See also

• Vienna School of Dermatology
• List of dermatologists
• List of cutaneous conditions

• Copeman PW (February 1995). "The creation of global dermatology". J R Soc Med. 88 (2): 78–84. PMC 1295100. PMID 7769599.
• Tilles G, Wallach D (1989). "[The history of nosology in dermatology]". Ann Dermatol Venereol (in French). 116 (1): 9–26. PMID 2653160.
• Jackson R (May 1977). "Historical outline of attempts to classify skin diseases". Can Med Assoc J. 116 (10): 1165–8. PMC 1879511. PMID 324589.
• King JM (April 1983). "Historical review of early dermatology by J. M. King, MD, Nashville, Tenn. Originally published May 1927". South. Med. J. 76 (4): 426–36. doi:10.1097/00007611-198304000-00004. PMID 6340211.

External links

• History of Dermatology Society
• French Society for the History of Dermatology
• American Association for the History of Medicine
• The Canadian Society for the History of Medicine