- Email: [email protected]
Cutaneous findings in mummies from the British Museum
P301
P303
CUTANEOUS FINDINGS IN MUMMIES FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM Kieron Leslie, MBBS, Nick Levell, MD, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, England The British Museum was founded in the period of the Enlightment in 1753 to promote universal understanding through the arts, natural history, and science in a public museum. The department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the museum houses one of the largest collections of mummies in the world. The collection comprises predominantly wrapped mummies, which have undergone radiological investigation; however, the skin has not been examined because this would require removal of the bandages and hence possible irreparable damage to the mummy. However, there are a number of unwrapped mummies, which we were able to examine and report findings of our study.
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AND THE PRACTICE OF DERMATOLOGY: HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS Merrick Elias, DO, Nova Southeastern University COM-Dermatology Department, Hollywood, FL, United States; Asfa Akhtar, DO, Chava Lustig, DO, Nova Southeastern University COM-Dermatology Department, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States; Erik Austin, DO, MPH, KCOM Dermatology Department, Texas Division, Dallas, TX, United States Developed 130 years ago by A.T. Still, MD, osteopathic medicine is emerging as one of the fastest growing healthcare professions in the United States. The osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person is applied to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. An individual must be a graduate of an osteopathic medical school in order to become an osteopathic physician. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredits each school, and applicants to osteopathic medical colleges are required to have a 4-year undergraduate degree. Candidates must complete requisite premedical courses and take the Medical College Admissions Test before matriculation. The osteopathic curriculum involves 4 years of academic and clinical study. After graduating from an osteopathic medical school, DOs complete a mandatory 1-year, AOA-approved rotating internship. DOs continue their graduate medical education by entering into residency and fellowship programs in both osteopathic and allopathic institutions. Osteopathic residencies are available in the primary care disciplines as well as most specialties, including dermatology.
The mummy of a female adult from the Gebelein region, dating from the preDynastic period was examined. Reasonable preservation of the skin, nails, and hair was observed. The hair had a reddish hue and multiple egg cases consistent with head lice were noted. The scalp showed evidence of surface scale, possibly consistent with seborrheic eczema. The nails were dark red. An adolescent mummy, dating from the same time and from the same region, showed follicular prominence on the outer aspects of the upper arms and on the legs, consistent with keratosis pilaris. Lichenification was noted on both ankles. Several mummies of children dating from the Roman period were examined. A male child with a skull fracture was found to have a linear transverse depression in his nails, suggesting Beau’s lines. A female mummy had ulceration on the left frontal aspect of the forehead. In addition, the presence of amber-colored ovoid structures was noted on the abdomen and vulva, measuring approximately 1 mm in diameter. Examination of mummified skin allows us to understand some of the dermatological conditions prevalent in ancient history. Diseases reported in other studies include cutaneous infections and infestations and a few tumors. The paucity of reports of the common inflammatory dermatoses and tumors of the present day is unexplained. although possibly one of the mummies we examined had eczema. Currently there is no better record of ancient skin disease; however, it is possible that future DNA studies will answer many of our questions from the past.
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) is the unified training body for osteopathic physicians specializing in dermatology. The AOCD, with more than 400 active members, sponsors 18 dermatology programs throughout the United States and currently trains 73 residents. Each resident completes a structured 3-year training period focusing on general dermatology, dermatopathology, cutaneous surgery, and cosmetics. Additionally, many residency programs are affiliated with large university hospitals allowing residents to train with renowned physicians in both dermatology and its various subspecialties. This presentation chronicles the genesis and history of osteopathic medicine, with an emphasis on the AOCD. Nothing to disclose.
Nothing to disclose.
P304 PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY IN THAILAND: ITS HISTORY AND SOCIETY Chulabhorn Pruksachatkunakorn, MD, Division of Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
P302 DERMATOLOGY AND LITERATURE Robert Norman, DO, MPH, Nova Southeastern, Tampa, FL, United States If dermatology was ever in need of a boost from the humanities, it is now. With the rising tide of technical skills required, improving awareness of the patient underneath the technique is crucial. I believe there is no better teaching tool to improve our humanity than lessons from literature. I will include (1) an overview of articles and book excerpts relating to dermatology and literature, (2) the importance of literature to clinical care and research in dermatology, (3) lessons learned in literature to improve our patient care, (4) ways to improve dermatological medical writing based on tips in literature, and (5) opportunities to be more involved with humanities and dermatology. Selected articles/text on the poster are as follows: John Updike (on psoriasis), ‘‘From the Journal of a Leper’’ (see http://bmj.com/archive/7123/7123m4.htm), Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘‘The Birthmark,’’ and Sir Frederick Treves’ ‘‘The Idol with Hands of Clay’’ (in The Literary Companion to Medicine by Richard Gordon). Nothing to disclose.
P34
J AM ACAD DERMATOL
In the beginning, children with skin problems were treated sometimes by pediatricians, sometimes by dermatologists, and sometimes by general practitioners. The Pediatric Dermatological Society of Thailand was founded in 1994. Since then there has been an increasing number of academic activities around Thailand such as newsletters, seminars, training courses, and interhospital conferences. Members of the executive committee of the society have served the community as speakers at professional and lay meetings. Ongoing projects include raising the profile of the curriculum of pediatric dermatology, guidelines for physicians about common pediatric skin diseases, public and community education to improve standards of care for common pediatric skin problems, and research, which will certainly have benefits for Thai children. At the international level, the society hosted the 4th Regional Meeting on Pediatric Dermatology in Bangkok in 2001. Some members of the executive committee of the society are also members of the International Society of Pediatric Dermatology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, and other related societies. One of them has contributed a chapter to a standard textbook of pediatric dermatology and is a member of the advisory board of the journal Pediatric Dermatology. Some served as speakers and chairpersons at the X World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology and other related regional meetings. In order to strengthen relations with societies of pediatric dermatology in Asia and around the world and collaborate with them, Thailand will host the XI World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology in 2008. Dr. Pruksachatkunakorn is a member of the advisory board of the journal Pediatric Dermatology and receives no financial support.
MARCH 2005
P303
CUTANEOUS FINDINGS IN MUMMIES FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM Kieron Leslie, MBBS, Nick Levell, MD, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, England The British Museum was founded in the period of the Enlightment in 1753 to promote universal understanding through the arts, natural history, and science in a public museum. The department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the museum houses one of the largest collections of mummies in the world. The collection comprises predominantly wrapped mummies, which have undergone radiological investigation; however, the skin has not been examined because this would require removal of the bandages and hence possible irreparable damage to the mummy. However, there are a number of unwrapped mummies, which we were able to examine and report findings of our study.
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AND THE PRACTICE OF DERMATOLOGY: HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS Merrick Elias, DO, Nova Southeastern University COM-Dermatology Department, Hollywood, FL, United States; Asfa Akhtar, DO, Chava Lustig, DO, Nova Southeastern University COM-Dermatology Department, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States; Erik Austin, DO, MPH, KCOM Dermatology Department, Texas Division, Dallas, TX, United States Developed 130 years ago by A.T. Still, MD, osteopathic medicine is emerging as one of the fastest growing healthcare professions in the United States. The osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole person is applied to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. An individual must be a graduate of an osteopathic medical school in order to become an osteopathic physician. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredits each school, and applicants to osteopathic medical colleges are required to have a 4-year undergraduate degree. Candidates must complete requisite premedical courses and take the Medical College Admissions Test before matriculation. The osteopathic curriculum involves 4 years of academic and clinical study. After graduating from an osteopathic medical school, DOs complete a mandatory 1-year, AOA-approved rotating internship. DOs continue their graduate medical education by entering into residency and fellowship programs in both osteopathic and allopathic institutions. Osteopathic residencies are available in the primary care disciplines as well as most specialties, including dermatology.
The mummy of a female adult from the Gebelein region, dating from the preDynastic period was examined. Reasonable preservation of the skin, nails, and hair was observed. The hair had a reddish hue and multiple egg cases consistent with head lice were noted. The scalp showed evidence of surface scale, possibly consistent with seborrheic eczema. The nails were dark red. An adolescent mummy, dating from the same time and from the same region, showed follicular prominence on the outer aspects of the upper arms and on the legs, consistent with keratosis pilaris. Lichenification was noted on both ankles. Several mummies of children dating from the Roman period were examined. A male child with a skull fracture was found to have a linear transverse depression in his nails, suggesting Beau’s lines. A female mummy had ulceration on the left frontal aspect of the forehead. In addition, the presence of amber-colored ovoid structures was noted on the abdomen and vulva, measuring approximately 1 mm in diameter. Examination of mummified skin allows us to understand some of the dermatological conditions prevalent in ancient history. Diseases reported in other studies include cutaneous infections and infestations and a few tumors. The paucity of reports of the common inflammatory dermatoses and tumors of the present day is unexplained. although possibly one of the mummies we examined had eczema. Currently there is no better record of ancient skin disease; however, it is possible that future DNA studies will answer many of our questions from the past.
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) is the unified training body for osteopathic physicians specializing in dermatology. The AOCD, with more than 400 active members, sponsors 18 dermatology programs throughout the United States and currently trains 73 residents. Each resident completes a structured 3-year training period focusing on general dermatology, dermatopathology, cutaneous surgery, and cosmetics. Additionally, many residency programs are affiliated with large university hospitals allowing residents to train with renowned physicians in both dermatology and its various subspecialties. This presentation chronicles the genesis and history of osteopathic medicine, with an emphasis on the AOCD. Nothing to disclose.
Nothing to disclose.
P304 PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY IN THAILAND: ITS HISTORY AND SOCIETY Chulabhorn Pruksachatkunakorn, MD, Division of Dermatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
P302 DERMATOLOGY AND LITERATURE Robert Norman, DO, MPH, Nova Southeastern, Tampa, FL, United States If dermatology was ever in need of a boost from the humanities, it is now. With the rising tide of technical skills required, improving awareness of the patient underneath the technique is crucial. I believe there is no better teaching tool to improve our humanity than lessons from literature. I will include (1) an overview of articles and book excerpts relating to dermatology and literature, (2) the importance of literature to clinical care and research in dermatology, (3) lessons learned in literature to improve our patient care, (4) ways to improve dermatological medical writing based on tips in literature, and (5) opportunities to be more involved with humanities and dermatology. Selected articles/text on the poster are as follows: John Updike (on psoriasis), ‘‘From the Journal of a Leper’’ (see http://bmj.com/archive/7123/7123m4.htm), Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘‘The Birthmark,’’ and Sir Frederick Treves’ ‘‘The Idol with Hands of Clay’’ (in The Literary Companion to Medicine by Richard Gordon). Nothing to disclose.
P34
J AM ACAD DERMATOL
In the beginning, children with skin problems were treated sometimes by pediatricians, sometimes by dermatologists, and sometimes by general practitioners. The Pediatric Dermatological Society of Thailand was founded in 1994. Since then there has been an increasing number of academic activities around Thailand such as newsletters, seminars, training courses, and interhospital conferences. Members of the executive committee of the society have served the community as speakers at professional and lay meetings. Ongoing projects include raising the profile of the curriculum of pediatric dermatology, guidelines for physicians about common pediatric skin diseases, public and community education to improve standards of care for common pediatric skin problems, and research, which will certainly have benefits for Thai children. At the international level, the society hosted the 4th Regional Meeting on Pediatric Dermatology in Bangkok in 2001. Some members of the executive committee of the society are also members of the International Society of Pediatric Dermatology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, and other related societies. One of them has contributed a chapter to a standard textbook of pediatric dermatology and is a member of the advisory board of the journal Pediatric Dermatology. Some served as speakers and chairpersons at the X World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology and other related regional meetings. In order to strengthen relations with societies of pediatric dermatology in Asia and around the world and collaborate with them, Thailand will host the XI World Congress of Pediatric Dermatology in 2008. Dr. Pruksachatkunakorn is a member of the advisory board of the journal Pediatric Dermatology and receives no financial support.
MARCH 2005