title: Occupational health in fairy tales.
abstract: Myths and folklore, as expressions of popular beliefs, provide valuable information on medical knowledge in earlier times. Fairy tales have often recounted occupational maladies throughout the ages and also provide some insight into the toxic effects of certain metals, such as mercury. Much historical information can be gleaned from unexpected sources, and as such, fairy tales should be more carefully scrutinized by contemporary researchers with an interest in the historical origins of workplace injury and disease.
authors.affiliation: a Section of History of Medicine, Research Centre on Public Health, University of Milano Bicocca , Monza , Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rivolta
authors.affiliation: a Section of History of Medicine, Research Centre on Public Health, University of Milano Bicocca , Monza , Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arienti
authors.affiliation: b School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle , Ourimbah , Australia.
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: a Section of History of Medicine, Research Centre on Public Health, University of Milano Bicocca , Monza , Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cesana
authors.affiliation: a Section of History of Medicine, Research Centre on Public Health, University of Milano Bicocca , Monza , Italy.
authors.forename: Michele A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Riva
mesh_terms: D009229:Mythology; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D016272:Occupational Health
keywords: Fairy tales; history; occupational diseases; occupational health