THE HERITAGE OF RAMAZZINI,BERNARDINO

Although the seminal work in what, was to become the speciality of occ upational medicine appeared in 1700 as written by the Italian physicia n, Bernardino Ramazzini and titled De Morbis Artificum Diatriba, it wa s through the English translation by Wilmer Cave Wright in 1940 and th e subsequent scholarship of Dr Pericle Di Pietro oi Modena, Italy, tha t this monograph became widely known. Ramazzini has been cited by innu merable medical authors and his volume has undergone many translations from the mid-18th century to the present day. References to his early observations of persons and work and their subsequent disease pattern s repeatedly infuse today's description of work-related illness, That his pioneering efforts continue to receive adulation is seen in the or ganizations bearing his name, many eponymous awards, the striking Rama zzini Hall in japan, and the continuing appearance oi new reprintings of Diseases of Workers world-wide, The name Ramazzini marks the beginn ing of society's concern with the well-being and physical and emotiona l health oi its workers from the shops of the crafts to the offices of the executives.