Hippocratic mask, also known as facies hippocratica, is a medical term that describes a special type of facial expression characteristic of people suffering from serious illnesses, especially those associated with acute pain and imminent death.
The term was coined in honor of Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who first described this type of facial expression in his patients. Hippocrates believed that facies hippocratica was a clear sign of death, and used this term to describe what people look like when they die from serious illnesses.
Today, the Hippocratic mask is used as an important diagnostic sign for assessing the patient's condition. The facial expression characteristic of this condition is associated with depression of the nervous system and can be caused by various reasons such as infections, tumors, cardiovascular diseases and other serious illnesses.
The main sign of a hippocratic mask is a deep depression in the eye sockets, which is formed due to a decrease in the volume of soft tissue in the facial area. The skin on the face becomes pale and dry, and the eyes take on a glassy appearance. In addition, the patient may experience a pronounced decrease in appetite, a feeling of fatigue and weakness.
Although the Hippocratic mask is considered a serious sign of serious illness, it does not always indicate imminent death. Thanks to modern diagnostic and treatment methods, many diseases that were previously considered incurable can now be successfully treated.
In conclusion, the Hippocratic mask is an important diagnostic sign for assessing the patient's condition. Although it is associated with severe illness and death, modern medicine offers many methods to successfully treat many diseases, and timely consultation with a doctor can save the patient's life.