LOGO Description

A vertically oriented snake (saw-scaled viper- Echis carinatus) wrapped around a wooden pole (symbolizing Nehushtan depicted in the book of Numbers for its healing power) adorned with a flame (symbolizing knowledge) atop the staff and two crossed swords (Gladius Hispaniensis, symbolizing a combat-proven tool of great versatility) centered behind the snake wrapped pole, all within the outline of a shield (heater shield symbolizing an evolved, manageable defense). In summary, the logo depicts the importance of knowledge regarding health and well-being which needs to be both defended and honed through a variety of versatile and manageable means that effectively evolve with time.

Saw Scaled Viper- Echis carinatus

The viper’s potent venom has been such a medical problem that doctors have produced nine different antivenoms that target it. Within minutes of the bite, localized swelling and pain which later spread can be felt.  Hemorrhage and coagulation defects follow closely, which may lead to hypovolemic shock. The most dangerous symptoms of envenomation are blood-clotting trouble and internal bleeding, which can lead to acute kidney failure.  Almost all patients develop oliguria or anuria within a few hours to as late as 6 days post-bite. Antivenin therapy and intravenous hydration within hours of the bite are vital for survival. The blood-thinning venom from this species is used in the manufacture of several drugs.

Snake wrapped pole

Numbers 21:6-8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and much people of Israel died.

Sword

The gladius Hispaniensis or Spanish sword was first used by tribes in the Iberian peninsula and, following the Punic Wars, became the standard sword of Roman legionaries from the 2nd century BCE as its relatively short and double-edged blade made it ideal for cutting and thrusting in the confined space of hand to hand combat on the ancient battlefield. The gladius Hispaniensis sword (aka 'Hispanicus') probably first came to the attention of Rome during the First and Second Punic Wars of the 3rd century BCE when it was used by Iberian tribes fighting as mercenaries and allies of the Carthaginians. The short blade of the gladius Hispaniensis made it an ideal weapon when soldiers were closely engaged with the enemy and gave its carrier a distinct advantage over an opponent armed with an unwieldy and heavier, longer-bladed sword who had no space in which to swing his blade. The Romans were quick to see its advantages and both legionaries and auxiliaries used the sword to good effect in the conquest of Gaul when the local tribes, armed with long swords, could only cut while the Romans could both cut and stab. Legionaries were specifically trained to stab while protecting themselves with their shield rather than expose their torso and arm by slashing. 

Shield

The heater shield or heater-shaped shield is a form of European medieval shield, developing from the early medieval kite shield in ca. the mid-13th century. The term is a neologism, created by Victorian antiquarians due to the shape's resemblance to a clothes iron. Smaller than the kite shield, it was more manageable and could be used either mounted or on foot.[1] From the 15th century, it evolved into highly specialized jousting shields, often containing a bouche, a notch, or "mouth" for the lance to pass through. As plate armor began to cover more and more of the body, the shield grew correspondingly smaller, until, by the mid-14th century, it was hardly seen at all outside of the tournament. Heater shields were typically made from thin wood overlaid with leather. Some shields, such as that of Edward, the Black Prince from his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral, incorporated additional layers of gesso, canvas, and/or parchment.