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September 2000
Volume 64 |
Number 9
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| Our Society's
Seal: Its History and Significance |
Frederick J. Spielman,
M.D.
The seal of ASA depicts the risks and goals of anesthesia. It
illustrates what anesthesiologists do and how we accomplish our
responsibilities. The seal is on the ASA Directory of Members,
our membership card and the covers of Anesthesiology and the ASA
NEWSLETTER [Figure 1].
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Figure 1
Seal of the American Society of
Anesthesiologists
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The emblem of ASA had a humble beginning, making
its first public appearance at the West End Tavern in New York
City on April 13, 1932, at the Annual Meeting of the New York
Society of Anesthestists.1 According to the one-page
report of the gathering, after a steak dinner was served to 41
members, the meeting was called to order. The Secretary–Treasurer,
Paul M. Wood, M.D., reported that 60 members were "paid up
in full for the current year" and that the Society had $199.74
in cash at Cliffside Park National Bank in New Jersey. A written
document stated, "The Society having enjoyed the food and
the meeting room adopted a resolution to continue the practice
of meeting here. The cost of the dinners not to exceed $1 each."
Under new business, the "seal of the Society" was
presented by Dr. Wood, its designer. He explained the significance
of the pilot wheel, perfect circle, shield, stars, clouds, moon,
ship, sea and lighthouse: The patient is represented as a ship
sailing the troubled sea with clouds of doubt and waves of terror.
During a voyage through the realm of the unknown, the patient
is guided by the skillful pilot (the anesthetist) with constant
and eternal (stars) vigilance (motto of the Society) by his dependable
(lighthouse) knowledge of the art of sleep (moon) to a safe and
happy outcome. The circle denotes the unity of a closed group.
In a letter to Winthrop Hall, M.D., on June 5, 1961, Dr. Wood
wrote that colors were suggested for the seal but never adopted.
He wished to use silver for the stars, gold for the moon, gray
and black for the clouds, brown for the lighthouse base, white
for the shaft, white for the beams, blue for the ship, brown for
the pilot wheel, a pale medical green for the background and black
for the lettering.2 This author's wish is that in the
near future, the colored version of the seal will receive official
approval.
Wood's interest in symbolism and esthetics was largely the result
of the influence of his mother, who was a professor of religious
art and architecture. Discussions about art and heraldry (the
science and art of coats of arms) among students and professors
filled the Woods’ home. Both mother and son were avid and passionate
collectors of books, pictures, stamps and coins. Dr. Wood roamed
art galleries and bookstores of New York City. Early in his career,
he dreamed of forming a library and museum devoted to anesthesia,
and just eight years after completing his internship at Roosevelt
Hospital, he housed " in his apartment " the New York
Society of Anesthesiologists-ASA Library Museum. Dr. Wood's lifetime
contribution to anesthesiology was honored in 1949 when the ASA
established a nonprofit corporation known as the Wood Library-Museum
of Anesthesiology, located at the ASA headquarters.
Why are the dates 1905 and 1936 on the seal, and how did the
symbol of the New York Society of Anesthetists come to be the
seal of ASA? On October 6, 1905, a group of anesthesiologists
met at the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York,
and convened the first meeting of the Long Island Society of Anesthetists,
whose goal was to "promote the art and science of anesthetics."
The yearly dues were $1. By 1911, there were 23 members, and Erdmann
E. Woolsey, M.D., President of the Society, suggested that the
organization change its name to the New York State Society of
Anesthetists to emphasize the fact that members were no longer
just from Long Island but also from the New York metropolitan
area. The new organization's purpose was "...the advancement
of the Science and Art of Anesthesia." Dues were raised to
$3 per year and soon the membership grew to 50, including anesthesiologists
outside New York. In 1936, four years after Dr. Wood suggested
the establishment of a seal, he promoted the idea that a committee
be formed to investigate the need for national identification
and appreciation of anesthesiology. By an overwhelming majority,
the members voted to change their organization's name to the American
Society of Anesthetists. In 1944, Dr. Wood once again proposed
a name change for the association, and the American Society of
Anesthesiologists was born.3
Seals, coats of arms, symbols, badges, buttons, crests, logos,
flags and stamps have been employed for thousands of years to
tell stories, identify people, create illusions of fame and wealth
or separate the masses from royalty. The word seal (from the Latin,
sigillum) denotes the result of the impact of a hard engraved
surface upon a softer material such as clay or wax, producing
an image in relief. Seals have been unearthed in Syria and Egypt
from the 4th millennium B.C.E. Emblems originated when most people
were illiterate but were capable of recognizing bold and striking
designs. The emblems were quite artistic, containing detailed
drawings of plants, animals, musical instruments and chariots.
Prominent citizens, those with a high rank in the army, owners
of businesses and royalty had their own seals. The seals of merchants
and craftsmen often depicted the tools connected with their trade.
Starting in the 12th century, the use of municipal seals was
an important part of a town’s independence. The seals of maritime
villages often depicted a ship; seals of inland cities featured
a picture of the town itself. By the 13th century, seals were
used by all classes, including small landowners. Simple seals
could be bought ready-made. The use of personal seals declined
as more people were capable of signing their names.
Heraldry was vital to differentiate friend from foe on the battlefield.
A warrior in full armor was unrecognizable, so a distinctive coat
was fashioned to be worn over his armor. This coat of arms made
soldiers identifiable. In the 20th century, corporate seals (logos)
are still popular and essential, signifying that we have come
full circle. Once again, reading is not necessary just the ability
to recognize bold colors and the image.
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Figure 2
Caduceus, the staff of Hermes
and Mercury
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The medical profession is associated with two seals, the staff
of Aesculapius and the caduceus [Figure 2]. Aesculapius, the son
of Apollo, is the Greek god of medicine and healing. He is associated
with a serpent, usually twined around a staff, a traditional symbol
of healing and rejuvenation as well as a powerful symbol of knowledge.
He is frequently shown wearing a long robe and sandals. Hygeia
(hygiene), goddess of health, and Panacea (cure-all, healer of
the sick) are his daughters. His sons, Podalirius and Machaon,
are also physicians. The seal of the American Medical Association
shows a snake entwined around the staff of Aesculapius. Medicine's
high profile symbol is the caduceus, the staff of Hermes and Mercury.
The caduceus was not associated with the healing profession until
Sir William Butts, physician to Henry VIII, used it on his crest.
Two versions of the caduceus are used, a single snake twined around
a winged staff (Association of American Medical Colleges, Canadian
Medical Association) or a two-snaked staff (American Medical Women's
Association, American Veterinary Medical Association).4
A detailed examination of the seals of various medical societies
reveal interesting symbolism, important history and visual attractiveness.
The emblem of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA) contains
poppy plants (general anesthesia and analgesia), cocaine leaves
(local anesthesia) and serpents (power of healing). John Snow,
M.D. (1813-1858), and Joseph Clover, M.D. (1825-1882), are on
the seal. Snow holds his monograph On the Inhalation of Ether
in Surgical Operations. Clover holds a portable ether inhaler.
The RCA's motto, "divinum sedare dolorem," translates
to "It is divine to alleviate pain." The motto was chosen
to reflect the primary responsibility of the medical specialty
and was thought to be easily translated, even by those unfamiliar
with Latin [Figure 3].
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Figure 3
Seal of the Royal College of
Anaesthetists
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Figure 4
Seal of the New York Society
of Tropical Medicine
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In 1976, the president of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists,
Brian Pollard, M.D., stated his concern that the society's seal
should be changed. He did not think that a kangaroo jumping over
a map of Australia conveyed the feeling of the society. After
an exhaustive search, the seal was subsequently changed to display
vapors rising from a bowl. The design committee believed that
the new seal was clear, bold and distinctive and that it symbolized
the principles of care, control, compassion and skill intrinsic
to the practice of anesthesiology.5
A prize for the most interesting seal should go to the New York
Society of Tropical Medicine. The emblem was adopted in 1975 in
the hope that it would be employed on letterheads, invitations
and engraved medallions for distinguished lecturers. The seal
shows a mosquito flying over the New York City skyline. A pair
of worms are present on the right side; on the left, protozoa
[Figure 4]. Some members found the design lacking dignity, and
some complained about an absence of symmetry. Nevertheless, members
overwhelmingly approved the adoption of the seal.6
Seals come in all shapes, sizes and colors but share common characteristics.
These symbols link the present with the past and convey the aspirations
and aims of the profession. They announce and add brilliance to
association. The most effective seals are bold, radiant and bright
and are designed with intelligence and thoughtfulness. Members
of the ASA should be proud of their seal, its history, meaning
and message.
Fred J. Spielman, M.D., is Professor, Department
of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He received a Wood Library-Museum
Fellowship in 1993.
References:
- Minutes of Meeting of the New York Society of Anesthetists,
April 13, 1932. Collected Papers and Minutes of the Long Island,
New York and American Society of Anesthetists (1905-1945). The
Wood Library-Museum Collection, Park Ridge, Illinois.
- Letter from Paul Wood to Winthrop Hall, June 5, 1961. The
Collected Papers of Paul Wood, M.D., The Wood Library-Museum
Collection, Park Ridge, Illinois.
- Betcher AM, Ciliberti BJ, Wood PM, Wright LH. The jubilee
year of organized anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 1956; 17:229-267.
- Laughlin VC. The Aesculapian staff and the caduceus as medical
symbols. J Int College of Surg. 1962; 38:82-92.
- Hains JW. The search for a symbol. Anaesth Intens Care. 1987;
15:99-106.
- Imperato PJ. A history of the New York Society of Tropical
Medicine. NYS J Med. 1990:450-462
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