History of studying the diabetes mellitus in the mirror of numismatics

Abstract

The branch of historical science of numismatics (from the Latin numisma — coin) originated in the 19th century and became closely connected with economics, politics, culture and law, it includes a thematic study of coins, medals and plaques. Best of all, the history of endocrinology is illustrated by various forms of the medallic educational art (exonumia, or paranumismatics), and the coin became the prototype of the memorial medals. This work presents a catalog of more than 100 numismatic materials (including some unique, first cited), reflects the stages of deve­lopment of the study of diabetes mellitus, methods for diagno­sing and treating diseases. There are links to significant historical events, brief biographies of physicians are mentioned who have made an invaluable contribution into the formation of this scientific discipline.

Keywords

• medicine
• endocrinology
• diabetes mellitus
• history
• numismatics
• exonumia