POISONS, POISONING AND THE DRUG TRADE IN ANCIENT ROME

The first recorded instance of poisoning in ancient Rome occurred in 331 BC when, during an epidemic, a large number of women were accused of concerted mass poisoning. Overreaction of the community in times of stress particularly, when scapegoats for unexplained phenomena are sought, might have played an important role in this and many subsequent incidents of suspected poisoning. Rome represented a culture steeped in superstition, fear and mythology with virtually no scientific means of retrospectively proving or disproving alleged poisoning. The drug trade in antiquity is briefly reviewed, from the Marsi and rootcutters who collected materials, and the intermediary herbalists and drug pedlars, to the physicians and other prescribers of drugs. There was a general lack of proper knowledge, which led to much abuse and death of patients. The distinction between these professional groups was often vague and physicians were generally not held in high regard. From authoritative writings of Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny and others it is evident that the Romans were aware of a very large number of toxic (and assumed toxic) substances, of plant, animal and mineral origin, but it is evident that the poisoners of ancient Rome almost exclusively made use of plant (and to lesser extent animal) products, and not mineral poisons. A brief overview of the recorded crimes by poison, and known poison dispensers of the time is given. Poisoning probably reached a maximum during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when the Julio-Claudian emperors in particular achieved great notoriety, and a wide variety of specific and “universal” antidotes came into vogue

THE ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS IN A.D. 79 AND THE DEATH OF GAlUS PLINIUS SECUNDUS

On 24 August A.D. 79 Vesuvius erupted, burying neighbouring Pompeii in ashes, stones and pumice, Herculaneum in volcanic mud, and Stabiae in ashes. Thousands of people lost their lives in this disaster. This was the second recorded eruption, the first being on 5 February A.D. 63.1 In the centuries thereafter Vesuvius has erupted nearly 50 times, most recently during the Allied invasion in 1944. Due to its inactivity the past 53 years, this volcano is at present the primary geological worry of Europe because of its potential explosivity: c. 1,5 million people live in the vicinity of the mountain

ALEXANDER DIE GROTE SE LEËR EN DIE OORLOGSTRES-SINDROOM, 326 v.C.

In die somer van 326 v.C. is Alexander die Grote se Asiatiese veroweringsveldtog van sewe jaar onverwags aan die bolope van die Indus-rivier gestuit – nie deur vyandelike aksie nie, maar deur die weiering van sy soldate om verder ooswaarts te trek. ’n Moontlike rede vir sulke drastiese optrede deur ’n leër wat hul koning tot op daardie stadium blindelings gevolg het, is dat erge oorlogstres kon ingetree het. Die oorlogstres-sindroom, soos vandag gedefineer, is goed nagevors, en in hierdie artikel word die moontlikheid ondersoek dat dit by bovermelde geleentheid ’n beslissende rol kon gespeel het. Sou dít dalk die verklaring kon wees vir hierdie dramatiese gebeurtenis waarin Alexander se droom van ’n ryk wat tot aan die einde van die wêreld strek, verpletter is – deur sy eie soldate

Congenital eunuchism and favorinus

Ancient Hebrew literature as well as the New Testament differentiate between castrated eunuchs and congenital eunuchs. Congenital eunuchism is very rare today, and assuming that this was also the case in classical times, we investigated possible reasons why congenital eunuchs feature prominently. We discuss the probability that the concept `congenital eunuchism' might in ancient times have included effeminate men who, according to cultural views on `maleness' and androgyny, were almost equated with eunuchs. The causes of congenital hypogonadism are reviewed in order to attempt clarification of the condition of Favorinus, a congenital eunuch in the second century AD. We suggest that although he might have been a true hermaphrodite, as suggested by some s, it is more likely that he had one of the following conditions: functional prepubertal castrate syndrome, testicular gonadotrophin insensitivity, selective gonadotrophin deficiency or Reifenstein's syndrome. (South African Medical Journal: 2003 93(1): 73-76

Clinical experience with an epoxy resin adhesive for direct bonding of orthodontic attachments*

KIMAn epoxy resin formulation developed in the Dental Research Unit has been subjected to further clinical trials. Six patients, were used in the study. They were divided into two age groups and all the teeth, including the first molars, bonded. Rubber dam was used to keep the crowns dry during the setting period of the resin. In the younger group the mean failure rates were 27 per cent for anterior teeth and 70 per cent for the first molars. In the older group these rates were 11 per cent for incisors, 11 per cent for canines, 20 per cent for premolars and 20 per cent for first molars. While no figures are available in the literature relating to direct bonding to first molars, the results obtained in this study for the other teeth compare favourably with data previously published by other authors after trials using other types of cement

Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) - did he have a brain tumour?

Julius Caesar, one of the outstanding leaders of antiquity, is perhaps best remembered for his military achievements, but he was also a cultured person, a writer and historian, orator and statesman. Except for an attack of quartan malaria early in life, he was healthy and physically fit up to his fifties, when various authors reported the onset of epilepsy. The evidence is that he experienced only two epileptic attacks – probably at the age of 51 and 54 years. He was assassinated at age 56. It has been suggested that his epilepsy was almost certainly secondary to cerebral disease, with a benign brain tumour being highly probable. Contemporary historians also recorded accompanying symptoms which could fit such pathology, including vague disturbances of consciousness, ‘diseases of the head’ (which might indicate headache), terrifying nocturnal experiences interpreted as nightmares, and periodic episodes of giddiness, even tremors. Caesar’s relatively careless reaction to rumours of assassination could be interpreted as erratic behaviour, and some of his friends suspected that he no longer wished to live