Yeah, I’m a crank, but it really bothers me when people confuse the caduceus of Hermes with the staff of Asclepius. Hermes was the messenger of the gods, and his herald’s staff, sandals, and helmet all had wings. Asclepius was the legendary founder of Greek medicine, and his staff has only one snake and no wings.

This confusion has been around for so long, and is so pervasive, that medical organizations that ought to know better use the caduceus.