Women in medicine through the ages.
BACKGROUND
Female practitioners of the medical arts have been active since the ancient world The role of women in science, and particularly in medicine, has changed significantly over time.


METHODS
We provide a chronological review of the growing knowledge in medicine related to women's activities through the ages with particular attention to occupational medicine. Throughout history hazards have been shaped by the forces that shape work itself social evolution, shifting economic powers and demographic changes.


RESULTS
Mythical Greece, Egypt and ancient Rome were the cradle of ancient medicine. In the past century, women were allowed to enter the medical profession with increasing acceptance. Some of the most important women in ancient and modern medicine are recalled, such as Mother Peseshet in ancient Egypt, Artemisia of Caria and Phanostrate and Philista in the Greek period, Hildegard of Bingen, Marie Marguerite Biheron in England, Elisabeth Blackwell, Emily Jennings, Maude E. Abbott and others. Women in occupational medicine are described separately, such as Alice Hamilton, Harriet L. Hardy, Molly Newhouse and Olga Macek.


CONCLUSIONS
Certainly, the first few women who iluminated the way for the generations that followed them into medicine, the women who made outstanding contributions to medicine, and the women who are currently finding success in medicine deserve our respect and admiration.
Zuskin
Eugenija
E
Andrija Stampar School of Medicine, Medical School University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. ezuskin@snz.hr
Pucarin-Cvetkovic
Jasna
J
Schachter
E N
EN
Mustajbegovic
Jadranka
J
Vitale
Ksenija
K
Deckovic-Vukres
Vlasta
V
Milosevic
M
M
Jelinic
Jagoda Doko
JD
D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000266:history; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000266:history*