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The man who turned medicine into a science

500th anniversary of the birth of Andreas Vesalius

Andreas Vesalius dissects a corpse. The cover of the book De humani corporis fabrica. Photo: Wikimedia
Andreas Vesalius dissects a corpse. The cover of the book De humani corporis fabrica. Photo: Wikimedia

On the last day of 1514, the Flemish doctor Andreas Vesalius, the founder of the modern science of anatomy, was born in Brussels. Already during his medical studies in Paris, Vesalius rebelled against the method of studying anatomy from the writings of the Greek physician Galenus, from the second century, which were based mainly on animal dissection. He began dissecting human corpses he collected from cemeteries, and continued this when he was appointed a professor at the University of Padua in Italy. He taught anatomy in several universities, with practical demonstrations of dissections for students, in which he helped to create accurate illustrations, and to guide artists who documented the important anatomical findings. In 1543 he published his famous book "De humani corporis fabrica" ​​- "On the structure of the human body" - seven volumes of accurate anatomical illustrations, at least some of which were probably made by Jan van Kalker, Titian's student. The book revolutionized the field of medicine and medical studies, and encouraged a professional and objective anatomical view.

Medical innovations

Vesalius' precise observations, and his refusal to rely on conventional beliefs, produced quite a few innovations. Among other things, he refuted the assumption (based on the biblical story) that men have one less rib than women; Proved that the septa of the heart are sealed (and not perforated as they thought) and discovered the valves of the heart; He accurately described the muscular system and the skeleton; Contributed a lot to the understanding of the circulatory system and identified important components of the nervous system.

A new career

Shortly after the publication of his book, Vesalius was appointed physician to Emperor Charles V, who was also King of Spain. He was forced to stop engaging in anatomical research, and spent 11 years traveling with the emperor, treating the wounded and sick, concocting medicines and corresponding with other doctors. He did not completely give up on research, and occasionally published short articles, for example on medicinal plants, but he could not return to the full extent of the research. Over the years, he also had to fend off quite a few attacks by clerics on his book - both on the content, which questions some of the principles of creation, and also on the autopsy.

After the abdication of Charles V, Vesalius continued to work in the service of his son, Philip II. He released him after a while in good spirits, giving him an honorary degree and a generous pension. Vesalius took advantage of his position and financial situation to go on a journey - a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He arrived at the end of a long journey to Jerusalem, where he received a message that he was offered a professorship at the University of Padua. He made his way back to Italy, but his ship ran into a storm and was wrecked near the Greek island of Zakynthos. Vesalius managed to reach the shore, but died a short time later, being only 50 years old.

Comments

  1. Not the strict one teaches.
    There is a casual inaccuracy in the sentence. The reader explained and knew how to fill in the gaps without realizing it.

  2. Ok - makes sense. If that's the case, then the second sentence should be changed to: "He arrived at the end of a long journey to Jerusalem, and there he received a message that he was once again offered a professorship at the University of Padua. He made his way back to Italy, but his ship ran into a storm and was wrecked near the Greek island of Zakynthos. Vesalius managed to reach the shore, but died a short time later, and he is only 50 years old."

  3. Meir

    There is no contradiction here. He studied in Padua until at least 1543, then he worked as a physician to Charles V, then for a while as a physician to the king's son, during this period he was not in Padua. He was then offered a new appointment, which he did not exercise because of the drowning.

  4. There is a contradiction in the article.
    At the beginning of the article it is written: "He started dissecting human corpses he collected from cemeteries, and continued this when he was appointed a professor at the University of Padua in Italy"
    At the end of the article it is written: "He arrived at the end of a long journey to Jerusalem, and there he received a message that he was offered a professorship at the University of Padua. He made his way back to Italy, but his ship ran into a storm and was wrecked near the Greek island of Zakynthos. Vesalius managed to reach the shore, but died a short time later, and he is only 50 years old."
    When exactly was Vaselius employed in Padua?

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