Readily visible alterations of the skin surface have been recognized since the dawn of history, with some being treated, and some not. Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine (1025) described treatments for a variety of skin conditions, including skin cancer. The preferred medication it recommended was zinc oxide. Though today it is no longer used for treating skin cancer, it is still widely used today to treat a variety of other skin conditions, in products such as baby powder and creams to treat diaper rashes, calamine cream, anti-dandruff shampoos, and antiseptic ointments.^[1]

In 1572, Geronimo Mercuriali of Forlì, Italy, completed De morbis cutaneis (translated "On the diseases of the skin"), and is known as the first scientific work to be dedicated to dermatology. One source lists Jean Astruc (1684-1766) as the founder of modern dermatology.^[2]

In 1801 the first great school of dermatology became a reality at the famous Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris, while the first textbooks (Willan's, 1798-1808) and atlases (Alibert's, 1806-1814) appeared in print during the same period of time.^[3]

[edit] See also

• Vienna School of Dermatology
• List of dermatologists

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Copeman PW (February 1995). "The creation of global dermatology". J R Soc Med 88 (2): 78–84. PMID 7769599. 

• Tilles G, Wallach D (1989). "[The history of nosology in dermatology]" (in French). Ann Dermatol Venereol 116 (1): 9–26. PMID 2653160. 

• Jackson R (May 1977). "Historical outline of attempts to classify skin diseases". Can Med Assoc J 116 (10): 1165–8. PMID 324589. 

• King JM (April 1983). "Historical review of early dermatology by J. M. King, MD, Nashville, Tenn. Originally published May 1927". South. Med. J. 76 (4): 426–36. PMID 6340211. 

[edit] External links

• American History of Dermatology Society
• French Society for the History of Dermatology

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