[The nasal speculum. Its historical development and remarks on the history of rhinoscopy].

The examination of the nose has been known to the ancient Egyptian medical doctors (Papyrus Ebers), and is exactly described by Hippocrates (460-377 B. C.). It has been performed in direct sunlight until the 13th century when candle light was recommended by Arnold de Villanova. However, G. C. Arranzi, in the 15th century, used a glass flask, filled with water, directing candle light through it into the patient's nose. The first endoscopic lamps appeared during the 18th century. The nasal speculum was first mentioned by Guy de Chauliac (13th century) and was illustrated for the first time by Arcolano (14th century). Fabricius Hildanus (1560-1634) constructed an aural speculum which was nearly identical to the nasal specula of today. It was developed further by Peret (18th century) and Wilhelm Kramer (1801-1875) to the type of nasal speculum which is still. Predecessors of the nasal speculum are specula which were in use for the examination of the vagina and the anus. The eldest specimens were found in Pompeji, the city that was destroyed in 76 A. D. These specula consisted of two or three blades which opened by pressure or by means of a crank. The prototype of these specula is a tubular speculum as described by the so-called Ayurvedic doctors of ancient Indian medicine (Ayurveda of Suşruta ca. 500 B. C.).