Biomedical subjects

Lech Bieganowski

Publications and source records attributed to Lech Bieganowski.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

[Galen from Pergamon (130-200)--views in ophthalmology. Part II--anatomic description of the eye].

The article presents Galen's views on the anatomy of the eye. He believed that the eye was composed of membranes and fluids. He distinguished the following membranes of the eye: the cornea, the sclera, the choroid, the capsula of the lens and the retina, as well as the structure covering the muscles of the eye and joining the individual elements of the eye with the orbital cavity and the skull (i.e. the bulbar conjunctiva and Tenon's capsula). The following were considered as fluid substances of the eye: egg-shaped fluid (i.e. albuminous fluid), crystal fluid (i.e. the lens) and vitreous fluid. The article also outlines his theory of vision. It assumes the existence of a specific life force called pneuma which is under a considerable influence of the soul and which reaches the eye from the brain through small channels in the optic nerve. Due to this element the eye was supposed to have the vision ability located in the lens which was the most important part of the eye receiving the vision sensations.

Anatomy↗

PubMed2005

[Ophthalmology in Byzantium between the 4th and the 7th century].

The article presents the state of development of medicine and ophthalmology in Byzantium in the period between the 4th and the 7th century. It discusses the life and work of Oribasius, Alexander of Tralles, Aëtius from Amida and Paullus from Aegina. It underlines the contribution of Oribasius into the dissemination of knowledge of Galen's works. It was this physician and Alexander of Tralles as well as Aëtius from Amida that did not recommend the surgical treatment of cataract (e.g. hypochyma). Paullus from Aegina was an exception in this respect as he provided a detailed description of couching of cataractous lens (e.g. hypochyma). His description is more detailed and precise than the one provided 600 years earllier by Celsus.

Byzantium↗

PubMed2005

[Pneumoencephalon and pneumatocoele intrabulbaris--the consequence of penetrating wounds of the orbital cavity and severe ocular injury--case reports].

Pneumoencephalon i.e. the presence of the intracranial air is commonly detected in the consequence of the head injury or penetrating wound of orbital cavity. The most characteristic sign of pneumoencephalon is the bruit hydroaerique, which is a splashing sound heard only by the patient on postural change. The diagnosis of this rare complication was possible on clinical symptoms and computed tomography (CT) brain scan. The article outlines another case of the intraocular presence of the air (pneumatocoele intrabulbaris) after severe ocular injury with almost total absence of vitreous body, choroid and retina and hypotony.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[State of ophthalmology in ancient Rome].

The article presents the state of medical knowledge of the peoples forming Etruscan and Roman civilization circa 600 years B. C. Medical practices of these peoples are discussed. It is underlined that some Etruscan views were adopted by the Romans who cared much about hygiene. However, the development of Roman medicine was strictly related to the Greek And Egyptian physicians to this country. Various conditions of ophthalmic inflammation and many ocular diseases like pterygium, entropionand tumor of the lids were known in the Roman society. We owe to Celsus the description of the couching of the cataract. Oculists could be find in military hospitals (valetudinarias), and the navy. However, some civilian physicians like Antyllus--a famous surgeon who also performed the couching of the cataract, and Rufus of Ephesus--an author of a great description of the anatomy of the eye ae still remembered.

History, Ancient↗

PubMed2004

[Ophthalmic aspects in Celsus' work De medicina libri octo].

The article presents Aulus Cornelius Celsus (living in Roman Empire 15 BC - 50 AD) and his famous work "De medicina libri octo", one of the main sources of knowledge on the ancient medicine. It briefly goes through the content of the medical treaties. A wider discussion of the following ophthalmic aspects, included in Book VI and Book VII, is provided: the anatomy of the eye, the description of ophthalmic diseases, methods of its preventive treatment and surgery. It is also mentioned that the work contains the first description of cataract surgery (couching method) in the medical literature. The article underlines the popularity enjoyed by Celsus' work in medieval Europe.

Europe↗

PubMed2004

[Application of spectral optical coherent tomography (SOCT) in ophthalmology].

The article describes spectral optical coherent tomography (SOCT) constructed by Medical Physics Group, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics at Nicholas Copernicus University in Toruń (Poland). It presents the physical bases for the functioning of the constructed device and includes pictures of optical sections of various elements of the eyeball: an optic disc and the region of central fovea, a cornea and angle structures (trabecular meshwork). The article also discusses potential application of SOCT in ophthalmic diagnosis of anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

Eye Diseases↗

PubMed2004

[Galen of Pergamum (130-200)--his views on ophthalmology (part I)].

The development of medicine owes a lot to Galen of Pergamum (Asia Minor) who lived around 130-200 AD. He was of Greek origin and he wrote his works only in Greek. However, he lived and worked mostly in Italy. He studied both medicine and philosophy. When he came to Rome in 162 he was quickly recognised as a talented physician due to his unusual medical skills. He even became a physician at the Emperor's court. Apart from being an outstanding physician, he had a great knowledge of medicines and ways of their production. Being familiar with various philosophical doctrines, in particular with Hippocrates' thoughts, as well as the views of Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics, Galen developed his general theory of body functioning. It was only after his death that his works attracted more general attention. Both theoretical developments and his works on various ailments were first recognised in the Arabic world. It was only this fact that resulted in his works being gradually translated from Arabic into Latin and published in Europe where they grew important among European university circles. The article outlines ophthalmologic aspects included in Galen's works. The accuracy of descriptions of eye diseases and elements of descriptions of particular cases are underlined. It is concluded that the knowledge of symptoms of certain diseases followed from clinical observations, as well as from experiments on animals.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed2003

[Notes on the state of ophthalmology in the ancient Egypt].

The article presents the state of ophthalmological knowledge in the ancient Egypt. Medical and ophthalmological information included in Smith's and Ebers papyruses are discussed. The first ever known ophthalmologist by the name of Iry is mentioned. The article also presents the history of medical school in Alexandria.

Egypt, Ancient↗

PubMed2003

[Ophthalmology in the ancient river cultures. Was cataract surgery performed during the time of King Hammurabi?].

The article presents the state of ophthalmological knowledge in the Ancient River Cultures. Medical and ophthalmological information included in King Hammurabi Code is discussed. The author presents a critical analysis of the views related to the hypothesis of possible performance of cataract operation in Babylon during the Hammurabi period. Terminological and medical matters related to this issue are discussed. The original opinion about surgical treatment of symblepharon or pannus trachomatosus is presented.

Ancient Lands↗

PubMed2003

[Outline biography of a forgotten Polish doctor from Estonia].

The paper presents the figure of Polish doctor Władysław Wawrzyniec Mierzejewski who was born in 1841 in the province of Witebsk. He studied medicine in Petersburg. After graduation in the field of gynecology followed by the achievement of MD, he moved to the city of Kuressaare on the Saaremaa Island in 1876. That year he established a natural therapy clinic there and treated female patients from Petersburg, Tallin and Dorpat. The clinic was taken over by his son Gonzaga George Mierzejewski, a gynecologist himself. The clinic was destroyed during II World War in 1941. At present, the former location of the balneology clinic is commemorated with a stone with a plate for the memory of Polish doctors.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

PubMed2003

[Greek medicine in ancient times and its ophthalmological aspects].

The article presents the state of medical knowledge in ancient Greece. Sacred medicine related to the cult of Asclepius and the origin of secular medicine is described. Ophthalmological aspects concerning the anatomy of the eye, diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases are emphasized.

Greece, Ancient↗

PubMed2003

[Hippocrates from Kos--ophthalmologic aspects in the work of the father of medicine].

The article presents the life and work of an outstanding physician of ancient Greece--Hippocrates of Kos (460-370 B.C.). He is known as the father of medicine, because of his achievements in laying the foundations of medical knowledge and ethical aspects of medical profession, which is outlined in the article. A particular attention is given to ophthalmologic aspects of his work found in various Corpus Hippocraticum treaties. His views on the anatomy of the eye are presented as well. Reconstruction of the eye according to Hippocrates and Aristotle is included in the article. It also presents the International Foundation of Hippocrates of Kos.

Greek World↗

PubMed2003

[Father Waclaw Szuniewicz--Polish missionary, ophthalmologist, pioneer of refractive surgery of the cornea].

The article presents the life and work of Polish missionary of Saint Vincent a Paulo order, an ophthalmologist, Father Wacław Szuniewicz. He was born in 1891 in the Vilnius region. He completed his medical studies in Moscow in 1916. He specialised in ophthalmology at Stefan Batory University in Vilnius. In 1927 he entered the missionary order and after being ordained n 1930, he was sent for mission to China. There he developed his involvement in ophthalmology and established the ophthalmic ward in Shuntehfu that became very renowned. After taking over by the communist in China, he went to US in 1948. He continued his experimental work on surgical method on changing corneal curvature at Yale University in New Haven. In 1952 he went to Brasil where he continued his work as a missionary and an ophthalmologist. He was a man of great kindness and knowledge. He had particular language skill. At high school and during his medical and theological studies, he mastered Russian, French, English, Latin and Hebrew. He also learnt Chinese and Portugese. He was able to communicate in Lithuanian and Byelorus. He died in Brazil on 16 october 1963. His scientific accomplishments make him one of the pioneers of refractive surgery of cornea.

History, 20th Century↗

PubMed2003

[Phantom vision sensation].

The paper presents the phenomenon of phantom sensation including in particular, a phantom vision. These unusual sensations occur among the blind (or almost blind) and are characterised by the perception of various visual impressions, for example, light, geometrical shapes, buildings, people, flowers etc. The paper presents views explaining the generation of phantom vision. According to Melzack's theory, the occurrence of these sensations is explained in relation to the phenomenon of transforming the neuro-activity of the brain in a specific--for each organ--neuronal network called neuromatrix. Even if some organs do exist but have ceased to function completely (or to a significant degree) and consequently the brain does not receive any sensory stimuli from them, the neuromatrix in brain can generate visual sensations constituting the phantom vision phenomenon. The article also includes commentaries on such visual and mental sensations like hallucinations, Pick's visions and so called "scotoma of the leg".

Humans↗