FLT Work: Medal, International Hospital Conference 'Salus aegroti'

This medal, measuring 35 mm in diameter, was produced in bronze and silver at the workshop Stefano Johnson in Milan in 1935 for the fourth Congresso internazionale degli ospedali e mostra degli ospedali italiani (International Hospital Congress and the Italian Hospital Exhibition), held in Rome. The reverse gives a text, partly in Latin, partly in Italian, between two fasces. The Italian text notes the occasion for the medal’s production, using both Christian and Fascist dating.

The Latin text is a rewriting of a phrase found in Cicero (Leg. 3.3.8): Ollis salus populi suprema lex esto (‘For these, the well-being of the people shall be the highest law’). The construction with the future imperative, as well as the archaic form ollis, is Cicero’s way of imitating the formulaic and archaic structure of Roman law texts. The quote has been used in many different contexts throughout history. In post-World War I Belgium, for instance, the quote was widely used in the form Salus patria(e) suprema lex (‘The well-being of the Fatherland is the highest duty’), and it was an established trend to replace the second word of the phrase to change its meaning. In Cicero’s formulation, salus metaphorically refers to society’s well-being, while in the context of this medal, salus signifies physical health. It was also used elsewhere in commemorative items from the event, such as postcards and a pin, made by the same workshop. The phrase predates Fascism and is still used as a motto for different doctors’ and nurses’ associations. By surrounding it with fasces, however, it is made into a fascist slogan.

The design of the medal is minimalist but features a detailed reproduction of the Lupa Capitolina. This depiction implicitly parallels the nourishing of Romulus and Remus by the she-wolf with the care given to the sick and vulnerable by nurses. In this manner, the duty performed by nurses is tied to ancient mores and even to the very foundation of Rome. The stars on the obverse furthermore evoke associations with military medals.

Bibliography

Numismatica Italiana, “Congresso Internazionale Nosocomi 1935 -C-”, W-ME61O/152.

Erlend Myklebust