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Saint Blase, patron saint of otorhinolaryngology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Guillem Til-Pérez ,
Manuel Tomás-Barberán  and
Carlos Magri-Ruiz
Guillem Til-Pérez
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Manuel Tomás-Barberán
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Carlos Magri-Ruiz
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
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Abstract

Otorhinolaryngology is one of the few medical specialities which has a patron saint, Saint Blase (born 317-AD). He was a Doctor and Bishop in Sebaste, Armenia, and he suffered martyrdom under the rule of the Roman Emperor Licinio (Iliria 250 AD - Tsalonica 325 AD).

He was acknowledged as having the ability to protect people against throat infections, after curing a child who had choked on a fishbone. The feast of Saint Blase is on February 3rd, and it is celebrated all over the Western world.

There are many other Saints related to our speciality, who protect people against ear, nose and throat disorders. We have reviewed the world literature on this subject.

Keywords

Religion and MedicineSaint BlaseOtolaryngologyHistory of MedicineAncient
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 115 , Issue 4 , April 2001 , pp. 267 - 269
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2001

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