title: Plastering the head with crushed snails to treat pediatric hydrocephalus: an ancient therapy with a pharmacological basis.
abstract: In the Middle Ages, medical therapy for pediatric hydrocephalus was characterized by the application of drying substances to decrease the size of the heads of affected children. A poultice of crushed snails applied to the head was considered to be one of the most powerful therapies for reducing swelling caused by excessive humors. Incunabula (texts printed in Europe before 1501 CE) and Renaissance texts document the extended use of this therapy, which was considered by physicians to be effective and less dangerous than surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. missorp@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Missori
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Currà
mesh_terms: D000825:Animal Structures / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000266:history; D012908:Snails / Q000166:cytology