Neurology and Neurosurgery in Philately and Numismatics

Research Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2578-8868/353

Neurology and Neurosurgery in Philately and Numismatics

  • Konstantin Anatolyevich Bugaevsky

The Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University, Nikolaev, Ukraine.

*Corresponding Author: Konstantin A. Bugaevsky, The Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University, Nikolaev, Ukraine.

Citation: Konstantin A. Bugaevsky, (2025), Neurology and Neurosurgery in Philately and Numismatics, J. Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery, 17(2); DOI:10.31579/2578-8868/353

Copyright: ©, 2025, Konstantin Anatolyevich Bugaevsky. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of The Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Received: 24 December 2024 | Accepted: 16 January 2025 | Published: 07 February 2025

Keywords: neurology; neurosurgery; famous doctors and scientists; philately; postage stamps; postal envelopes; numismatics; commemorative medals; screenshot copies

Abstract

Annotation In this research article, its author presents the results and analysis of the obtained results of the conducted study, thematically devoted to the degree and volume of representation, collectible, philatelic and numismatic materials dedicated to neurology and neurosurgery. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis of the author of this study that, as in philately - on postage stamps and envelopes, different countries of the world and different years of their issue, and in numismatics, on thematic commemorative medals, there is a fairly large number of copies, in a fairly large volume and to a significant extent, represent both medical areas, both neurology and neurosurgery. In this research article, 105 screenshot copies of both philatelic and numismatic collectible materials are presented.

Aim of the article The purpose of writing this research article is an attempt by its author to present the results of the conducted research and their analysis, dedicated to the presentation of new data on the degree and volume of representation of thematic, collection, philatelic and numismatic materials dedicated to neurology, neurology and neurosurgery, as well as a number of well-known in different countries of the world, practicing doctors and scientists specializing in these two medical areas, both in different countries of the world and in different time periods.

Hypothesis of the article In this research article, its author presents the results and analysis of the obtained results of the conducted study, thematically devoted to the degree and volume of representation, collectible, philatelic and numismatic materials dedicated to neurology and neurosurgery. The obtained results confirm the hypothesis of the author of this study that, as in philately - on postage stamps and envelopes, different countries of the world and different years of their issue, and in numismatics, on thematic commemorative medals, there is a fairly large number of copies, in a fairly large volume and to a significant extent, represent both medical areas, both neurology and neurosurgery. In this research article, 105 screenshot copies of both philatelic and numismatic collectible materials are presented.

Research objectives In order to achieve the stated goal of the conducted research, the author set and implemented the following tasks: 1. To find various philatelic materials on the Internet, on thematic, collection sites and Internet pages, thematically dedicated to neurology and neurosurgery, as well as their heroes. 2. To systematize and group all the received collection materials. 3. To transform them, using a special computer program, into their screenshot copies, both black and white and color, for their further use as illustrations in the text part of this article, providing them with accompanying short comments and corresponding links, with the obligatory indication of the places of their borrowing on the Internet, in order to comply with the copyrights of their owners. 4. Also, as needed, find thematic articles containing information about scientists and practicing physicians, both neurologists and neurosurgeons, collection materials about which will be presented in the accompanying texts in this author's research article.

Method and materials of the study In writing this research article, the author used the following research methods: literary-critical analysis of all available text and illustrative materials related to the subject matter studied by the author, including Internet sites and pages related to medical topics and, in particular, neurology and neurosurgery, their history and heroes. As illustrative material in the article and its sections, the author used screenshot copies created by him of various philatelic and numismatic materials found by him, from different countries of the world and different years of their release. All text and illustrative materials presented in this article have mandatory links to the places of their borrowing on the Internet, in order to comply with copyright.

Introduction

The study of any issues related to medicine in general, as well as its various areas, clinical disciplines, such as neurology and neurosurgery in particular, their history and heroes, is, to a large extent, a relevant and in-demand issue [1, 38]. Based on my own, many years of experience, both as a collector and the author, of a fairly large number of research articles on the topic of the representation of many medical disciplines and areas, in the reflection of almost all means of collecting, the author has the right to assert that, both medicine in general and, in particular, such disciplines as neurology and neurosurgery, their history and heroes, are represented in philately and numismatics, as well as in a number of other means of collecting, in particular - in phaleristic materials, in a fairly large volume, in their numerous issues, in many countries of the world and in different years of their release [2].

Results of the study and discussion 

I would like to begin my story by introducing such a clinical discipline as neurology, by presenting collection materials dedicated to it, its history and heroes. First, in Figure 1, the author will present philatelic materials – postage stamps, artistic stamped envelopes and first day covers, postal blocks dedicated to neurology, as well as a number of famous scientists and practitioners specializing in neurology [3-10]. Thus, in particular, the postal service of Spain and a number of other countries of the world issued a fairly large number of philatelic materials, which are difficult to present in this article, their Nobel laureate, the famous scientist and practitioner, Santiago Ramon y Cajal (1852-1934). These are postage stamps and artistic stamped envelopes dedicated to him [3-10].

Figure 1. A selection of philatelic materials dedicated to Santiago Ramon y Cajal

Further, in Figure 2, a small philatelic collection is presented (postage stamps, artistic stamped envelope, special cancellation postmark), dedicated to the famous Portuguese scientist and physician-neurologist and neurosurgeon, Nobel Prize laureate – Antonio Egas Moniz [11-13].

Figure 2. A selection of philatelic materials dedicated to the memory of Antonio Egas Moniz

Figure 3 shows a small philatelic collection (postage stamps, artistic stamped envelopes and first day covers, postcards, special cancellation postmarks) dedicated to the famous Romanian neuropathologist Gheorghe Marinescu (1863-1938), after whom one symptom known to doctors, primarily neurologists around the world, is named – Marinescu's symptom [13-19, 39, 40].

Figure 3. Philatelic collection dedicated to Gheorghe Marinescu

A small selection of Romanian philatelic materials, presented in Figure 4, features the famous Romanian scientist, Carol Davila (1828-1884), who also dealt with neurological issues [18-20].

Figure 4. Philatelic collection dedicated to the Romanian scientist Carol Davila

Figure 5 shows the following thematic philatelic collection dedicated to the famous Italian scientist and researcher, Camillo Golgi (1843-1926), who studied the structure and functioning of the cells of the human nervous system and discovered the fibers/cells named after him, and also studied the structure and functioning of the human hypothalamus [18-21, 41, 42].

 Figure 5. Philatelic collection dedicated to the memory of Camillo Golgi

Thematic figure 6 shows a small philatelic selection (artistic stamped covers and first day covers), thematically dedicated to the famous American scientist and doctor, who is called the father of world neurosurgery, Harvey W. Cushing [22-26, 38, 43].

Figure 6. Philatelic collection dedicated to the memory of the American neurosurgeon Harvey W. Cushing

Further, in the thematic figure 7, a small philatelic selection is presented, artistic stamped envelopes, with the image of a number of famous doctors and scientists, who dealt with neurological issues. This is a French envelope (1982), dedicated to doctor Debre [27]; This is an artistic stamped envelope of Austria (1976), dedicated to the famous neurologist, Constantin Economo (1876-1931) [44, 45]; an artistic stamped envelope of Romania (2016), dedicated to the academic professor and neurologist, Leon Danaila [29]; an artistic stamped envelope of Poland, with the image of a portrait of the famous Polish scientist and practicing neurologist, Józef Brudzinski, after whom the symptoms used in the diagnosis of meningitis and inflammation of the meninges are named [30]; A postage stamp (1960) and an artistic stamped envelope of France (1989) dedicated to the world-famous scientist and neurologist, Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893), often called the father of modern neurology [31, 32]; postage stamps and a souvenir sheet dedicated to the famous Romanian neurosurgeon, Sofia Ionescu [33]; a postage stamp and artistic stamped envelopes (1976, 1981) dedicated to the Soviet scientist and practicing neurosurgeon, chief surgeon of the Soviet army in World War II, academician, Nikolai Nilovich Burdenko () [35, 36]; a French artistic envelope with an image of the famous French neurosurgeon DOCTOR CHANTEMESSE [37]; Latvian neurosurgeon [46]; Austrian neurosurgeon Leopold Schonbauer [47]; Russian neuropathologist, academician Vladimir Bekhterev (1857-1927) [48].

Figure 7: Philatelic collection dedicated to a number of famous neurologists and neurosurgeons of the world 

Moving on to the numismatics section, I would like to present, in the large, composite figure 8a, a large selection of commemorative table medals dedicated to a number of famous scientists and practicing doctors - both neurologists and neurosurgeons [49-62]. Thus, in figure 8a, on the obverse and reverse, a commemorative, bronze French medal (1963) is presented, dedicated to the memory of the French neurologist Andre Thomas, with his upright portrait, half-turned to the right, and on the reverse, in capital letters, in French, across the entire field, there is an inscription "REVNION NEVROLOGIQVE INTERNATIONALE PARIS 30 ET 31 MAI MCMLXVII" [49].

Figure 8a. Commemorative medal dedicated to Andre Thomas

Further, in Figure 8b, the obverse and reverse show a French, bronze, square plaque-medal (not a round medal - 1934), dedicated to another French neurologist from the hospital in Lyon. The portrait of this doctor, turned to the left, and information about him, are presented on the obverse of the medal. On the reverse, in the center, a microscope is depicted, and to the right and left of it, two dates - 1912 and 1934. At the top, in large letters, is the inscription in French "SERVICE DI NEUROLOGIE DES HOPITAYX DE LYON", and at the bottom, along the lower edge "HOPITAL SAINT ROTHIN" [50].

Figure 8b. Commemorative medal dedicated to L. Beriel

In Figure 8c, the obverse and reverse show an Italian commemorative bronze medal (1961) dedicated to the neurologist Giovanni Mingazzini (1859-1929) [50]. On the obverse of this medal is his portrait, profile facing left, and the dates of his life, and in the center of the reverse, in 

large letters, in Italian, is an inscription telling about the event that caused the issue of this commemorative medal: “VII CONGRESSO INTERNAZIONALE DI NEUROLOGIA ROMA 10-15 SETTEMBRE 1961” [51].

Figure 8c. Commemorative medal dedicated to Giovanni Mingazzini

The next figure, 8d, shows a commemorative, Italian, bronze medal dedicated to the Italian scientist who worked in the field of anatomy and physiology of the human brain and nervous system, Camillo Golgi (1843-1926). On the obverse of this medal, in the center, in large letters, is his portrait, below which, along the pole of the obverse, in Italian, in capital letters, are written his name and surname and dates of life - "CAMILLO GOLGI 1843-1926", and on the reverse of this medal, in the center, in large letters, is depicted a human nerve cell, with its nucleus and axons. From the center of the left edge, clockwise, in a semicircle, there is an inscription in large letters - "PREMIO NOBEL DE MEDICINA", and at the bottom "SISTEMA NERVOSO" [52].

Figure 8d. Commemorative medal dedicated to the memory of Camillo Golgi

The next, large figure 8e, shows a series of double-sided commemorative medals made of different metals, all with portraits of the world-famous Spanish scientist in the field of anatomy and physiology of the human brain and nervous system, Nobel Prize laureate – Ramon Y Cajal (1852-1934) [53, 54].

Figure 8 e. A selection of commemorative medals dedicated to Ramon Y Cajal

Figure 8 f shows a Portuguese bronze commemorative medal dedicated to the world-famous neurologist, Nobel Prize laureate in medicine and physiology (1949), Egas Moniz (1874-1955), for a series of operations he performed in the prefrontal zone of the human brain. On the obverse of this medal is a portrait of the scientist, with his profile turned to the right, data about him, and on the obverse of this medal is a drawing of the human brain, and information is given about his receipt of his Nobel Prize [55, 56].

Figure 8 f. Commemorative medal dedicated to Egas Moniz

Figure 8 h shows a French, double-sided, bronze medal dedicated to the 100th anniversary (1825-1925) of the world-famous scientist and practicing neurologist, J.M. Charcot. On the obverse of this medal, in large size, in the center, is a portrait of the scientist, in profile, turned to the right, with the inscription in capital letters in French "DOCTEUR J.M. CHARCOT", and on the reverse, in large size, in the middle, is an accompanying inscription explaining the reason for issuing this commemorative medal "CENTENAIRE DE LA NAISSANCE de J.M. CHARCOT 1825-1925" [57]. 

Figure 8 h. Commemorative medal dedicated to the memory of J.M. Charcot

Figure 8i shows an English, rectangular, vertical, double-sided, bronze plaquette medal dedicated to the English neurologist Thomas Dixon Savil, Md., in memory of his work at the Hospital for Diseases of the Nervous System in London and housed in The Fitzwilliam Museum. The obverse of this medal depicts a bust portrait, looking in profile to the right, and information about him and the dates of his life (1856-1910). And on the reverse of this commemorative medal is depicted an ancient goddess, whose left hand, stretched forward, is entwined with a snake, as a symbol of medicine, as well as information about the work of this doctor at the London hospital [57].

Figure 8i. Commemorative plaque-medal dedicated to the memory of Thomas Dixon Savil

The next, Spanish, round, double-sided medal, made of dark-grey metal, shown in Figure 8j, and dedicated to the X CONGRESS INTERNATIONAL NEURULOGIA, BARCELONA, 1975, which is written along the outer edge of the reverse of the medal, in the center of which, in large form, two hemispheres of the globe are depicted, and at the bottom, under the name of the city and the date of the event, the coat of arms of Barcelona is depicted. On the obverse of this medal, in large form, in the center, are depicted two profiles of neurologists - Otfrid Foerster and Pio del Rio Hortega [58].

Figure 8j. Commemorative medal dedicated to Otfrid Foerster and Pio del Rio Hortega

In Figure 8k, on the obverse of a double-sided Spanish bronze medal dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Spanish Society of Neurologists, are depicted the profiles, facing left, of three Spanish scientists and neurologists: Dr. B. Rodriguez ARIAS; Dr. A. Subiarana Oller; Dr. L. 

Barraquerr Ferre. On the reverse of this commemorative medal, along its circumference, from bottom to top, clockwise, in large letters, is the inscription in Spanish "SOCIEDAD ESPANIOLA DE NEUROLOGIA", and in the center is written "XXV ANIVERSARIO BARCELONA 1974" [59].

Figure 8k. Commemorative medal dedicated to the "XXV ANIVERSARIO BARCELONA"

Further, in Figure 8l, a German rectangular vertical plaque medal (2017) is shown, dedicated to the memory of the German scientist and neurologist, Prof. Dr. Heinrich Obersteiner, whose portrait and information about him are presented under his large portrait, with his profile turned to the right [60].

Figure 8l. Commemorative medal-plaque dedicated to Prof. Dr. Heinrich Obersteiner

The following figure 8m shows a French, double-sided, commemorative, silver medal, with a portrait of the scientist Theophile Alajouanine (1890-1980) on its obverse and a large image of the human brain on the reverse of this commemorative medal [61].

Figure 8m. Commemorative plaque-medal dedicated to the memory of the scientist Theophile Alajouanine

The review of numismatic materials - commemorative table medals - is concluded by a square, bronze plaque medal dedicated to the memory of the famous French physician and scientist, Jean-Athanase Sicard, Pioneer Neurology, whose large portrait is depicted on the obverse, in profile, half-turned to the left, who dealt with issues of neurological changes and laboratory, both in the processes of syphilis of the brain and nervous system of man, as well as neurological symptoms and changes, in typhoid fever, which is written in detail, in large, capital letters, in French, over the entire surface of the reverse of this medal [62].

Figure 8n. Commemorative plaque-medal dedicated to the memory of scientist Jean-Athanase Sicard Pioneer Neurology

This concludes another author's research article dedicated to the historical memory of a number of scientists and practical doctors, neurologists and neurosurgeons, in the reflection of such means of collecting as philately and numismatics. Due to the fact that within the framework of such a small research article, all the collection materials found by the author on the Internet, it is planned to prepare and publish another new article dedicated to the reflection of neurology and neurosurgery in a number of means of collecting, including philately, numismatics and phaleristics.

Conclusions

1. The author of this research article, in sufficiently full volume, presented the results and analysis of his research work on the identification and preservation of historical memory, about such medical disciplines as neurology and neurosurgery, in the reflection of such means of collecting as philately and numismatics, in all their diversity. 

2. The author of this article fully confirmed the research hypothesis, which he put forward at the beginning of the study. Such means of collecting as philately and numismatics, in sufficient volume, contain materials that widely cover such medical disciplines as neurology and neurosurgery, telling. Both about their history and about their heroes, both scientists and practicing doctors. 

3. In total, this article presents 105 screenshot copies of collection materials, of which 85 are philatelic and 20 are numismatic.

References

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