IORIO S.

We discuss a particular case of an artificially deformed skull discovered in Naples in 1892 and published in the Italian Journal of Natural Sciences by the anthropologist Abele De Blasio. To comprehend the observations of the researcher about the "defects of intelligence" caused by the artificial deformation of the skull, we will also analyze...

We present a case of psychiatric and anthropological diagnosis of microcephaly published in 1912 in the Journal of Experimental Phreniatry and Forensic Medicine of Mental Alienations (Rivista Sperimentale di Freniatria e Medicina Legale delle Alienazioni Mentali). From the reading of this publication, we analyse the point of view of the...

The authors' aim is to define a framework around the history of studies and analyses on cranial trepanation. In addition, based on the analytical approach of Abele de Blasio, the authors would like to reach an understanding of the various different interpretations of the origin and aetiology of the art of cranial trepanation, starting in the...

In death and mourning, why should we think that rites adapt to psychology and not vice-versa? Or believe that psychological workings grow into a rite or ritual? When analysing practices related to rites of passage, death emerges as a rupture – or breakage – of social status. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Background and aim: The interest for the morphological research of degenerative signs aimed at identifying personality pathologies characterized positive anthropology of the late nineteenth century. The increasing exploitation of statistical-epidemiological methodologies together with the recent neuroscientific acquisitions, risk dangerous...

Among the numerous natural substances used in medical remedies, oil certainly plays an important role and, over the centuries, there have been many functions and properties attributed to it. We present the processes that have seen it as protagonist in the pharmacological field and in the cosmetic field.

The use of the term "irrational", when interpreting ancient and contemporary medical systems, is generally based on a bipolar, perhaps two-party, ideological systematization. This is a perspective behind which there is a reifying ideology that defines medical knowledge based on divination and symbolic practices as "irrational". Moreover, they...

The increasingly swift changes in the field of medicine require a reassessment of the skills necessary for the training of technically qualified doctors. Today's physicians also need to be capable of managing the complex issue of personal relationships with patients. Recent pedagogical debates have focused on so-called "soft skills", whose...