A medical bandage in an Italian Renaissance mummy (Naples, XVI century)

Med Secoli. 2008;20(1):169-81.

Abstract

A dressing was observed on the left arm of the mummy of Mary of Aragon (1503-1568), under her precious Renaissance clothes. It consisted of a true medical bandage, covering a large syphilitic cutaneous ulcer, with a sulphur-embedded wad still in situ. The bandage has a very peculiar shape, rather different from the usual dressings described in the contemporary medical texts: a central rectangular pad, used as compressing appliance, is provided with a sort of pocket containing ivy leaves. The function of the dressing was not only to cover and protect the ulcer, but also to apply a plant drug. This is the first case of ancient medical bandage studied directly on a mummified body.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Bandages / history*
  • Famous Persons
  • Female
  • History, 16th Century
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Mummies / history*
  • Syphilis, Cutaneous / history*

Personal name as subject

  • None Mary of Aragon