"The caduceus or wand of Hermes is typically depicted as a short herald's staff entwined by two serpents in the form of a double helix, and sometimes surmounted by wings. The caduceus is sometimes used as a symbol for medicine, especially in North America, through confusion with the traditional medical symbol, the rod of Asclepius."

RAYFIELD, LITTLETON SMITH, Austin, Travis co., Texas, son of Edward and Margaret (Ashby) Rayfield, of Virginia, was born in Northampton co., State of Va., Nov. 7th, 1839. He received his early education in Virginia, and pursued his medical studies at the med. coll. of Va., Richmond, in the Austrian univ., Vienna, and in the London hosp., London, England, graduating M. D. in March, 1866. He settled first at Richmond, Va., then removed to Jefferson, Texas, and finally established himself at Austin, in the general practice of his profession, but giving especial attention to surgery, in which he has performed most of the important operations. He is a member of the med. asso. of the State of Texas, elected April, 1874, and was first vice-president in 1875. He has also been delegate to the Am. med. asso., and International med. congress, from the Texas State med. asso. II is contributions to professional literature have been articles on " Lithotomy," " Hernia," etc. During the civil war he occupied the position of ass't surg. in the Confederate States army under Lee in Virginia. He is surg. of the International & Great Northern railroad of Texas. In 1868 he married Jennie Todd, of Jefferson, Texas; she died in 1868. In 1870 he married Annie B., daughter of Dr. W. R. Chew, of Jefferson, Texas.

The Physicians and Surgeons of the United States‎ - Page 290

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