St. Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland Image courtesy of Jim Fitzpatrick As snakes are associated with medicine through the Rod of Asclepius the RCSI Heritage Collections thought it apt to have a picture of snakes to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, even if they are getting banished! Asclepius , a deity associated with healing and medicinal arts in Greek mythology, is depicted in ancient statues, pottery and coins with snakes and the staff. Because of this association a particular type of non-venomous snake was often used in healing rituals by the ancients. These snakes crawled freely on the floor in dormitories where the sick and injured slept. Illustration of the Rod of Asclepius. Aphorisms of Hippocrates dated to 1571. The snake and staff symbol can be seen clearly. Image courtesy of John P. McGovern Historical Collection If Asclepius is the 'god of medicine' than Hippocrates is the 'father of med...