Readily visible alterations of the skin surface have been recognized since the dawn of history, with some being treated, and some not. One of the earliest known sources documenting skin ailments is the Ebers Papyrus, a medical document from ancient Egypt dating to around 1500 BC. It describes various skin diseases, including

ulcers An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing o ...

, rashes, and tumors, and prescribes surgery and ointments to treat the ailments. 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 Jean Astruc (19 March 1684, in Sauve, France – 5 May 1766, in Paris) was a professor of medicine in France at Montpellier and Paris, who wrote the first great treatise on syphilis and venereal diseases, and also, with a small anonymously publi ...

(1684-1766) as the founder of modern dermatology. In 1799, Francesco Bianchi wrote the book ''Dermatologia'' which is the first comprehensive textbook of modern dermatology written for the students of medicine. In 1801 the first great school of

dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin.''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.'' Random House, Inc. 2001. Page 537. . It is a speciality with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist is a specialist medica ...

became a reality at the famous

Hôpital Saint-Louis Hôpital Saint-Louis is a hospital in Paris, France. It was built in 1611 by architect Claude Vellefaux at the request of Henry IV of France. It is part of the Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris hospital system, and it is located at 1 avenue ...

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.Freedberg, et al. (2003). ''Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine''. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. Page 3. .

Notes

References

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External links

History of Dermatology Society

French Society for the History of Dermatology

American Association for the History of Medicine

The Canadian Society for the History of Medicine
Dermatology {{Sci-hist-stub

See also

Notes

References

External links