Hygiene (z3253)
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article discusses Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, and explains how the medical discipline of hygiene derives its name from her. It describes her iconography as a young, blooming maiden feeding a snake from a vessel.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Hygieia (Hygieia), the Greek goddess of health, from whom the medical discipline of hygiene (see) received its name. Hygieia was worshipped on an equal footing with her father (or husband), Asclepius. She was depicted as a young and blooming maiden feeding a snake from a vessel, as a symbol of health given to humans by the gods, and not by all, but by certain ones.
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Cite this page
“Hygiene (z3253).” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/hygiene/