The Journal History
The Malta Medical Journal is the official journal of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Malta. The Journal is a multidisciplinary medical journal that aims to publish high-quality papers written in English, dealing with all aspects of medicine.
The Journal was first published in 1989 under the title Maltese Medical Journal and has since seen annual publication with one or more issues annually, except for 2001.
The first medical journal published in Malta was L'Ape Melitensis, first published in 1838. The journal included reviews and abstracts from continental medical publications besides several original papers. This journal, however, had a relatively short life with only four monthly issues being published. In 1841, another medical journal - Il Filocano - was launched, but this also had a short publication life and ceased publication in 1842. The third attempt at publishing a medical journal had better success, and Il Barth saw regular publication from 1871 up to 1877. In the subsequent decades several attempts were made to launch a regular medical journal, but these efforts were of short duration: La Rivista Medica (1890-1892 and resurrected for a few issues in 1922), La Salute Publica (1897). More prolonged publication was achieved by the St. Luke's Hospital Gazette initiated in 1966. This journal was published for the Consultant Staff Committee working at St. Luke's Hospital, the Medical and Dental Surgery Faculties of the University and the Association of Surgeons and Physicians of Malta. This journal continued regular publication until 1976.
Other medical and paramedical associations also initiated efforts to publish a general or specialised medical journal. The medical student body, originally the British Medical Students Association [Malta], in 1949 launched an often irregular publication with the title Chestpiece. This journal continued publication until 1979 and was subsequently replaced by Mediscope in 1983 and Murmur in 1992. The latter is still being published. The Association of Anaesthesiologists in Malta in 1983 issued the first edition of the annual Acta Anaesthesiologia Melitensis that ran for six issues. Paramedical associations who also set out to publish a regular journal for their members included pharmacists and midwives.
Reference:
Savona-Ventura C. Outlines of Maltese Medical History.
Malta, MidSea Books. 1997.