Aesculapius

(es″kyŭ-lā′pē-ŭs)

[L. Aesculapius, fr Gr. Asklēpios]
The Latin form of Asklēpios, the ancient Greek god of medicine, son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis.

staff of Aesculapius

A rod or crude stick with a snake wound around it, signifying the art of healing and adopted as the emblem of some medical organizations, e.g., American Medical Association. Snakes were sacred to Aesculapius because they were believed to have the power to renew their youth by shedding their old skin and growing a new one.
SEE: caduceus

Aesculapius is a sample topic from the Taber's Medical Dictionary.

To view other topics, please or .

Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 24th Edition Online + App from F.A. Davis and Unbound Medicine. Find 75,000 medical and nursing definitions. Download to iPhone, iPad, and Android. .