The use of the snake and staff in the medical world has its origins in both Greek, and later, in Roman mythology.  The staff with one snake is known as the Staff of Aesculapius (Aesculapius - god of medicine) and this is the correct medical symbol.  A symbol also exists with two snakes and a winged staff and this is known as the Caduceus (staff of Mercury).  This symbol was introduced as the emblem for the American Army Medical Corps in the early part of the twentieth century because the badge looked more impressive with two snakes and a winged staff.  Early Irish Defence Force medical corps collar badges had the twin snakes as the symbol.

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 Page Updated : Saturday, 29 September 2007