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[The title of master in the history of health care]
Abstract:
The review examples of usage of the Latin term magister (master) in various common titles throughout the past, particularly in Croatia. As early as the Roman Empire and until the Middle Ages, the title magister designated various functions and duties, generally denoting authority, higher rank, or a responsible position. The review highlights certain historical events and persons related to the usage of the title magister. Ever since the Middle Ages, the title has specifically denoted various health care professions. The term was used in Latin, as it was the official language in Croatia at the time, for example, m. chirurgiae (master of surgery), m. obstetritiae (master of obstetrics), m. artis occularis (master of the eye-related skills), m. hospitalis (master of the hospice), m. sanitatis (health care master). As an example, the review shows the difference between the titles doctor medicinae and m. obstetritiae according to John the Baptist Lalangue (1743-1799), the official physician of the Varazdin county in the Hapsburg Empire and one of the most prominent figures in the history of health care in Croatia. Lalangue was the author of the first professional medical book in the Croatian language published in 1776 and of several other books in Croatian. The books were meant to teach medical professionals and ordinary people how to improve their health. Beside the title of medical doctor, Lalangue held the title of m. obstetritiae which he earned through additional education. He thought it was essential for a complete health provider to be trained both in general practice and in obstetrics which, at the time, included infant care. Nowadays in Croatia, only persons who are graduate pharmacists use magister pharmaciae as a professional title. The title is otherwise strictly reserved to denote an academic degree between the bachelor's and the doctoral in a particular field. The title magister scientiarum (Master of Science) is achieved upon completion of a postgraduate study and defence of the master's thesis.