The Belgrade dermatovenereologic moulage collection: past and present

• Published in: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2008-08, Vol.22 (8), p.937-942
• Main Authors: Medenica, L, Lalevic-Vasic, B, Skiljevic, DS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dermatology - history; history of dermatology; History, 20th Century; Humans; moulage; Schools, Medical - history; Waxes - history; Yugoslavia
• ISSN: 0926-9959; 1468-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2008.02577.x

The Belgrade dermatovenereologic moulge collection is formed during the period between 1925 and 1958, with one break between 1940 and 1950. The first moulages have been created after the foundation of the Belgrade University's School of Medicine and the Institute of Dermatology and Venereology (IDV), when this form of education became very significant. The collection is now comprised of 350 moulages, of which 280 pieces are completely preserved, whereas 70 are previously damaged. This article describes the work of two authors of moulages: one was Dr. Sergej Pavlovic Alisov, physician, amateur sculptor and painter, and the other was academic sculptor Vojislav Sikoparija. Wide variety of presented cases of skin and venereal diseases have been analysed; before World War I, there was a high proportion and florid pathology of venereal diseases and leprosy, whereas after World War II, these diseases became infrequent. Moulages at the IDV display high authenticity, which in some cases, made possible the correction of original diagnosis according to current criteria. Moulages represent a very significant subject of medical profession, and the need of an expert opinion on the conservation and reparation of moulages, which could be implemented by those in possession of such collections, is emphasized.