Historical Vignette: The "Chariot Rotator for Mobilization of the Vertebral Column", Serving Neurosurgeons of the Montpellier School in the Early 19th Century

Gregory Tsoucalas

doi:10.21767/2254-6758.100076

Abstract

Historical Vignette: The "Chariot Rotator for Mobilization of the Vertebral Column", Serving Neurosurgeons of the Montpellier School in the Early 19th Century

Highlights

In 17th century France medicine was ready to explode towards a new more sophisticated scientific path
Hippocrates was the first to introduce the method of the mechanical reduction of the vertebral column with "extension under constant tension", with the sufferer lying in a wooden bedstead [4]
Iatromechanism (Greek: ιατρός=iatros=physician, μηχανική=mechanice=mechanics) was a movement flourished since the early 17th century, combining anatomy, physiology, physics, mathematics and mechanical engineering to explain human organism under the purpose to ameliorate the treatment in medicine [5]

Summary

Introduction

In 17th century France medicine was ready to explode towards a new more sophisticated scientific path. The "iatromechanics" appeared to introduce and evolve the use of machines in the aid of diagnosis and treatment. Hippocrates was the first to introduce the method of the mechanical reduction of the vertebral column with "extension under constant tension", with the sufferer lying in a wooden bedstead [4].

Results

Conclusion