Piombino-Mascali Dario, Grimaldi Fausto, Liberto Aldo, Ministeri Federica, Privitera Federico, Pomara Cristoforo
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Anthropology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas - Angelicum, Rome, Italy.
Acta Med Litu. 2025;32(1):236-239. doi: 10.15388/Amed.2025.32.1.24. Epub 2025 Feb 18.
This study investigates the bioanthropological and paleopathological features of the late Blessed Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet, a revered 19-century archbishop of Catania. Dusmet's remains were examined during the most recent canonical recognition in 2021, providing an opportunity to study the skeletal characteristics that may reflect his lifestyle and health.
Paleopathological analysis focused on degenerative changes using macroscopic inspection to identify osteoarthritic conditions. Historical records were also consulted to understand the potential connection between his devout religious practices and his physical health.
Significant degenerative and osteoarthritic changes were observed, particularly in the knees. These changes are hypothesized to be linked to Dusmet's frequent practice of kneeling in prayer, a physical activity historically associated with knee osteoarthritis.
This study highlights how bioanthropological and paleopathological analysis can provide insights into the health and lifestyle of historical figures. The observed knee osteoarthritis in the Blessed Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet's remains suggests a possible link between his behavior and the development of joint degeneration. This research adds to our understanding of the physical impact of religious practices and contributes to the study of health in historical figures.
本研究调查了19世纪卡塔尼亚备受尊崇的大主教——受祝福的朱塞佩·贝内代托·杜斯梅特（Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet）晚年的生物人类学和古病理学特征。杜斯梅特的遗体在2021年最近一次正式认定过程中接受了检查，这为研究可能反映其生活方式和健康状况的骨骼特征提供了契机。
古病理学分析聚焦于退行性变化，通过宏观检查来识别骨关节炎状况。同时查阅历史记录，以了解他虔诚的宗教活动与身体健康之间的潜在联系。
观察到显著的退行性和骨关节炎变化，尤其是在膝盖部位。据推测，这些变化与杜斯梅特频繁跪地祈祷的行为有关，这种身体活动在历史上一直与膝关节骨关节炎相关。
本研究凸显了生物人类学和古病理学分析如何能够洞察历史人物的健康和生活方式。在受祝福的朱塞佩·贝内代托·杜斯梅特遗体上观察到的膝关节骨关节炎表明，他的行为与关节退变的发展之间可能存在联系。这项研究增进了我们对宗教活动身体影响的理解，并为历史人物健康状况的研究做出了贡献。
