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Abstract
Otorhinolaryngology is one of the few medical specialities which has a patron saint, Saint Blase (born 317-AD). He was a Doctor and Bishop in Sebaste, Armenia, and he suffered martyrdom under the rule of the Roman Emperor Licinio (Iliria 250 AD - Tsalonica 325 AD).
He was acknowledged as having the ability to protect people against throat infections, after curing a child who had choked on a fishbone. The feast of Saint Blase is on February 3rd, and it is celebrated all over the Western world.
There are many other Saints related to our speciality, who protect people against ear, nose and throat disorders. We have reviewed the world literature on this subject.
Key words: Religion and Medicine; Saint Blase; Otolaryngology; History of Medicine, Ancient
Introduction
Otorhinolaryngology is one of the few specialities with a patron, along with Ophthalmology - Saint Lucy - and Dentistry - Saint Apollony. This is largely due to the fact that our speciality is ancient and treats a very common pathology.' There are many Saints related to our specialty, but Saint Blase is the most well known and the one who holds the title of 'Patron of Otorhinolaryngology' (Figure 1). He was venerated as the patron of sufferers from throat disorders in the East by the sixth century and in the West by the ninth century. 23 Saint Blase's cult spread throughout Christendom from the eighth century. In Germany he was counted among the 14 Holy Helpers, being revered as protectors against different illnesses.2
History
The first reference based on the life of the Saint goes back to the ninth century, which makes his life a mystery, and most of what we know is legend.
According to tradition, Blase was of noble birth and, after being educated in the Christian faith, he became a Doctor in Sebaste in Armenia (currently Sivas, Turkey) and was the appointed Bishop for Sebaste by public demand after the death of his predecessor. Some time later, he decided to withdraw to a solitary place, choosing Mount Argeus (Near Sebaste, where he lived in an austere manner surrounded by wild beasts.4'6 There he would be visited by the multitude of sick people so that he could cure their ailments.
Around 315 AD, Agricola, governor...