Caduceus vs Staff of Asclepius

[Gut Shot]

Originally Posted by Panda Bear

Not going to end well. Not a perfect rule but enough to establish a gestalt and how you are going to be judged by many people, including me, who may have only a few minutes to decide to explore your individualhood more closely or put your resume in the discard pile.

I don't know why you're discouraging all these greenhorns from running to the ink parlor with their acceptance letters in hand. I need more people to openly laugh at, and M0s sporting ghey medical tattoos would be perfect.

[Lacipart]

Yea, that kinda bugs me. The Caduceus looks (and sounds)way cooler, but Asclepias is the "offical one". Stupid parasite wrapped around a stick, a double helix of snakes looks infinatly more awesome

[mastamark]

Originally Posted by zmeister22

I can believe that I have that symbol on me. I have been involved with EMS/emergency medicine since I was 17 and even if, for some reason, I am not able to attend medical school, I will stay in my current role and be involved with medicine that way.

I have been in EMS(as a Paramedic) for a while going on 7 years now. Here in chicago the EMS community is a little small. When we see people with the star of life, caduceus or whatever as a bumper sticker, tattoo or any other way they get a little laugh out of the more experienced people. The only tag you get is "Gung Ho." It's like those EMT-B's that walk around with their stethoscopes around their necks trying to get attention. It's funny, just a little bit.

[Dulcina]

Originally Posted by alwaysaangel

Didn't realize what it was dubbed at the time?

I've always thought tat artists should inform girls before they start drawing..."uh you realize this is commonly known as a tramp stamp..."

Just make sure when you go to bars etc. you wear a shirt long enough to cover it (not hard anymore since midrifts aren't in style anymore). But I do know plenty of guys who automatically assume a girl is easy and will more frequently hit on girls with tramps stamps than girls without. So it really is a common belief by men

no, I had no idea the nickname for it, or even the implications.
I don't even think I have any shirts short enough for it to show, so I think I'm good. Damn... I regret this now lol

[Kandy2012]

Originally Posted by spart39

There is a theory that the Rod of Asclepius comes from the traditional treatment of a guinea worm infection. The guinea worm is a parasite that's larval form lives in lakes. When someone drinks the water they become infected. Eventually the female worm becomes very long and migrates down the leg until its head emerges from the skin near the foot. Naturally, one would at that point want to grab said parasite and remove it from the leg. Unfortunately, the worm is nearly the length of leg and if it breaks off when you pull it it will cause an intense allergic reaction in the leg. So, the treatment that has been used to remove the worm is to wrap it around a stick and slowly turn the stick one or twice a day until it comes out.

Worm around stick = snake around staff, or so the theory goes. So keep that in mind when deciding on the tatoo

This is what I was taught in my Medical Helminthology class at Tulane.

[emmy nermal]

Everyone keeps saying that the Caduceus looks better, but I disagree. The Caduceus looks fake and cartoon-like, whereas the rod of Asclepius looks more rugged and historic - like a valuable ancient artifact.

Either way, a tattoo should be about meaning, not just something that looks cool.

[Namir]

After taking a medical parasitology class, I can't see that symbol without thinking of this:



Maybe its just me but I wouldn't want to be reminded of that every time I see my tat.


How about the word "DOC" on the right arm.... FORUM FIVE *snap*!

[CRB]

Yum. Although I'm not so sure about the theory. A full fledged staff with a serpent being held by a Greek physician isn't exactly the same thing as a 4 inch stick with a parasite around it. Do guinea worms even exist in the Mediterranean?

[Depakote]

Originally Posted by Namir

After taking a medical parasitology class, I can't see that symbol without thinking of this:



Maybe its just me but I wouldn't want to be reminded of that every time I see my tat.


How about the word "DOC" on the right arm.... FORUM FIVE *snap*!

I learned that as well...

Just FYI for people that weren't sure about the penetration of the guinea worm:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_...hrough_history

[mmmcdowe]

Worm vs Snake - It'll never be resolved! They both have reasonable explanations, after all, the Aesculpiads did rever the snake for its "healing properties" and the worms were removed using a rod. Oh well, as far as the Caduceus goes, I think its a medical symbol now. So what if it wasn't the one used by the doctors of Kos, or that it was a mistake. Do we really think its the first time that a historical error has been made? :P The way I see it is, it is widely considered a symbol of medicine. Thus, it is a symbol of medicine.

[RySerr21]

I thought it was a general consensus that getting a medical tattoo, whether it be a snake on a stick or two snakes on a stick with wings, was kind of douchie..... but it seems like a lot of people either have them or are thinking of getting them. Then again, this thread is over a year old so maybe it was only a fad?

[iduwanna]

Originally Posted by ryserr21

I thought it was a general consensus that getting a medical tattoo, whether it be a snake on a stick or two snakes on a stick with wings, was kind of douchie...

Here's one place we'll agree.

I'll even go as far as to say the bumper sticker, vanity plate, or shirt confirms douchebaggery.

[iduwanna]

Originally Posted by alwaysaangel

Just make sure when you go to bars etc. you wear a shirt long enough to cover it (not hard anymore since midrifts aren't in style anymore). But I do know plenty of guys who automatically assume a girl is easy and will more frequently hit on girls with tramps stamps than girls without. So it really is a common belief by men

It's basically an "open for business" sign, just as the tongue ring advertises "I like to give oral."

I'm sorry you didn't know that at the time.

[RoyBasch]

Originally Posted by indiamacbean

I think that all of you guys are confused. If you want the real deal of medical tattoos I would consider the DONO HARM two handed knuckle tattoo. that is what will get you real respect.

-Roy

[RySerr21]

Originally Posted by iduwanna

Here's one place we'll agree.

I'll even go as far as to say the bumper sticker, vanity plate, or shirt confirms douchebaggery.

meh, I can understand a shirt that reps your school (mostly cuz Ill probably have one at somepoint, I'm in to school pride ), its just kind of your lazy shirt that you throw on to when you go to school or lab or something..or maybe a little sticker that says X school of medicine.... the plate is kinda pushin it, but the tattoo deserves a swift kick in the balls.

[CRB]

Originally Posted by iduwanna

I'll even go as far as to say the bumper sticker, vanity plate, or shirt confirms douchebaggery.

Umm shirts are ok.

[msakiki]

Originally Posted by spart39

There is a theory that the Rod of Asclepius comes from the traditional treatment of a guinea worm infection. The guinea worm is a parasite that's larval form lives in lakes. When someone drinks the water they become infected. Eventually the female worm becomes very long and migrates down the leg until its head emerges from the skin near the foot. Naturally, one would at that point want to grab said parasite and remove it from the leg. Unfortunately, the worm is nearly the length of leg and if it breaks off when you pull it it will cause an intense allergic reaction in the leg. So, the treatment that has been used to remove the worm is to wrap it around a stick and slowly turn the stick one or twice a day until it comes out.

Worm around stick = snake around staff, or so the theory goes. So keep that in mind when deciding on the tatoo

Well I was told that the snake shedding its skin was a sign of renewal and if anyone is religious then you would remember that moses had a serpent wrapped around a wooden rod and anyone who looked at it was healed. So that along with the actual mythology was the story I was told was behind that symbol. It was a symbol of healing way before the treatment of a worm came along

[Shriken]

Because it's so hard to get laser removal later on...?

[bruceleehiiiyaa]

wow talk about CHEEESY. why dont you get a tattoo of "DOC" on your arm while you are at it?

you are pathetic. ugh

[Crazyday]

Originally Posted by Shriken

Because it's so hard to get laser removal later on...?

As opposed to never getting it in the first place?

[DeadCactus]

I would hope that finding out that half of SDN is going to hold hands and merrily skip down to the local tattoo parlor to get the exact same tattoo as you would make you realize what a horrible idea it is. Especially when their reason for the much is that if they wait too long they might realize what a horrible idea it is and not want to do it anymore.

And I have no problem with tattoos. Stereotypical and cliche tattoos though...