History of arthrology in the mirror of numismatics

The main goal was to analyze the history of arthrology using numismatic materials. The numismatics (from the Latin "numisma" – coin), a branch of historical science, that was originated in the 19th century and closely related to economics, politics, culture and law, which includes the study of coins, medals and plaques. The history of arthrology is best illustrated by various forms of me­dal art (exonum or paranumism), and the medal became the prototype of a commemorative (memorial) coin. This work presents a catalog of 157 numismatic materials (138 medals, 15 plaques, 4 coins), including some unique ones, presented for the first time, the stages of development of the study of the use of therapeutic factors were reflected, there are references to significant historical events, brief biographies of physicians (62 persons) were mentioned, who made an invaluable contribution to the formation of this scientific discipline. On the medals, can be found the portraits of the founders of the world arthrology, the ancient Indian doctor Charaka and the ancient Greek physician Aretaeus, as well as the portraits of the Ukrainian doctors – Agapetus of Pechersk, E. YO. Mukhin, O. A. Kysil, D. F. Chebotaryov. The work contains the following sections: "Inception of arthrology", "Structure and function of joints”, "Osteoarthritis", "Gouty arthritis", "Rheumatoid arthritis", "Infectious and infectious-allergic (reactive) arthritis", "Tuberculous arthritis", "Others arthrites". Unfortunately, so far the me­mory of famous doctors of the past has not been sufficiently marked by the release of numismatic products, so in the future we hope for a systematic approach to this matter, for the purposeful promotion of the achievements of rheumatology by means of numisma­tics, which provides an illustrative example for studying the history of arthrology, contributes to an increase in the level of education of doctors. Аuthors look forward to the appearance of new and inte­resting materials of such small forms of art.