title: The healing bird.
abstract: The legend of the caladrius, a bird with prognostic and healing powers, first appeared in early Indian writings as the haridruva--a yellow bird that cured jaundice. In classical Greek mythology it was a nondescript bird but in the medieval bestiaries it became pure white. The caladrius is used in the coats of arms of the South African Medical and Dental Council and also the Medical University of Southern Africa. These appear to be the first use of this medically significant bird in modern heraldry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Medical University of Southern Africa, Pretoria.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Couper
mesh_terms: D004616:Emblems and Insignia / Q000266:history*; D005789:Genealogy and Heraldry; D006115:Greece; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D013019:South Africa