Vesalius on the structure of the human brain. Andreas Vesalius: biography and contribution to medicine (photo)

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Famous Renaissance physician, founder of modern anatomy, Andreas Vesalius born on the last day of 1514 in Brussels in the family of a physician. The entire environment of the future luminary of science was from medical circle. His father served as pharmacist to Princess Margaret of Austria, the wise, well-educated, and delicately tasteful ruler of the Netherlands. His uncle also received a medical education and became a doctor. Both Vesalius's grandfather and great-grandfather were aesculapians and famous professors of medicine. In addition, his colleagues constantly gathered in his father’s house, and the society was the most medical. Even younger brother Vesalius became a doctor. In such an environment, it is not surprising that Andreas became interested in medical science. He showed remarkable abilities and rare memory, remembering all the discoveries made by his predecessors and commenting on them.

Having inherited the colossal library of his ancestors, which contained many medical treatises passed down through the family, Andreas acquired amazing erudition and an inquisitive mind.

His education was quite classical. There was also a traditional university waiting for him - Louvain, which taught ancient languages ​​(Latin and Greek), mathematics, and rhetoric. But the young man was not satisfied with the quality of education, and a year later he continued it at the Pedagogical College. There he quickly, thanks to his good abilities, mastered languages, including Arabic.

Andreas Vesalius' aptitude for anatomy became apparent when, in his free time from university, he began dissecting domestic animals. An experienced mentor, a friend of his father, noticing the young man's interest in medicine, sent him to Paris, where the young aesculapian began to study anatomy under the supervision of brilliant doctors of that time. He listened to lectures by the “modern Galen,” Catherine de Medici’s physician Jacques François Fernel, who was the first doctor in France, an honored and recognized doctor of medicine in Europe.

In those years, the church still did not approve and even rebelled against autopsies of human corpses for the purpose of medical research. Once a year, only at the University of Montpellier, which specialized in anatomy, it was allowed to dissect a corpse with highest resolution king. But Vesalius needed constant practice of dissections for his research, so he had to literally take half-decomposed corpses from dogs in cemeteries. But when he had money, he negotiated with the cemetery watchman and received quite suitable, well-preserved bodies for dissection.

Having quarreled with a professor at the University of Louvain on a professional topic, Vesalius was forced to leave his alma mater and arrive in Venice, which was distinguished by its liberalism in its approach to medical research. Throughout Europe, an anatomist would then have a hard time, given the ban on dissecting bodies. However, another story says that Vesalius left Padua after being caught in the act of removing a corpse from the gallows for dissection. One way or another, he fled from persecution.

At the age of 23, Andreas Vesalius already received his doctorate in medicine. The Senate of the Venetian Republic appointed him professor and teacher of surgery and anatomy after a public demonstration of the dissection. His spectacular lectures did not go unnoticed; students from different faculties came to listen to the rising star of medicine, and after some time, in a solemn atmosphere, he was appointed court physician to the bishop.

The routine that reigned in medicine at that time was abhorrent to the active Vesalius. He republished Galen, compiled anatomical maps, and published his first work, Letters on Bloodletting.

Andreas' predecessors studied anatomy from the structure of animal bodies, without being able to dissect human bodies. Therefore, many medical works before Vesalius were replete with errors. Not being timid, the future classic of medicine risked refuting the canonized principles of the past. In 1543, he published his legendary work “On the Structure of the Human Body,” with which he challenged and then overthrew the authority of the great Galen, who dominated the pedestal of medicine for several centuries. The treatise of Andreas Vesalius in seven volumes was the first scientific work that described the structure of the human body and was based on real research. It was a triumph of scientific thought and proof of the cultural rise of the Renaissance. Printing was already developing by leaps and bounds, and Vesalius richly decorated his work with drawings by Titian’s student Stefan Kalkar.

Being extremely disciplined, Vesalius brought order to medical terminology. He streamlined the names, mostly getting rid of Greek terms, replacing them with Latin, and bringing about uniformity.

The treatise “On the Structure of the Human Body” played a fateful role in the life of Vesalius. Despite the diplomacy of his statements regarding the canonized Galen, the Belgian physician had to correct no less than 200 mistakes of the Roman doctor. Vesalius's student, Jacob Silvius, bowing to the authority of Galen, betrays his teacher and writes a harsh pamphlet entitled “Defense against slander of anatomical work by a certain madman,” where in 28 chapters he mocks Vesalius and then renounces him. This pamphlet was beneficial for the enemies and envious people of Vesalius, since it shook the integrity of his name. Over time, an atmosphere of contempt formed around the famous Belgian doctor, fueled by the powerful Catholic Church. Vesalius's statements and the conclusions he made in his work contradicted the attitudes and views of the church. What was it worth, for example, Vesalius’s proof that men and women have the same number of ribs? After all, the church claimed that one rib was taken from Adam. Or, for example, Vesalius, who knew by heart or, rather, by touch, all the bones of the human skeleton, never found the one that, as the church claimed, does not burn in fire and does not sink in water, for with its help everyone will be resurrected in day of judgment.

Persecution began against the recognized professor and honored teacher. Andreas Vesalius left the university in Padua and, driven to despair, burned his manuscripts and materials for further work.

Having stopped scientific research, Vesalius entered the service of Charles V. The emperor was a difficult patient, suffering from gout and excess food. After Kral V, the throne was occupied by his son Philip II, whom the Belgian doctor continued to serve. After the ruler moved from Brussels to Madrid, Vesalius was persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition. The doctor was accused of stabbing a living person while dissecting a corpse. According to evidence, the “living person” was in a lethargic sleep. The intervention of Philip II saved Vesalius from the gallows. The execution was replaced by a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher, returning from there with great difficulty, the famous physician almost died during a shipwreck. Having been thrown onto the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante), Andreas Vesalius became seriously ill and died at the age of 50.

Thus, the life of a great scientist and physician, whose innovative ideas were destined to become recognized only after many years of persecution and slander, was interrupted in such an absurd and untimely manner. Undoubtedly, the best proof of the truth of Vesalius’s discoveries remains the works he created that are still being studied.

In the Middle Ages, attention to the body was considered sinful and persecuted; autopsies were prohibited or limited to isolated cases. Under such conditions, the study of anatomy could not develop. On the contrary, the culture of the Renaissance, placing man at the center of attention, began to study his body. Anatomy was studied not only by doctors, but also by scientists, whose main activities were far from it. Thus, Leonardo da Vinci was also an anatomist.

In collaboration with doctors, Leonardo performed autopsies and anatomical sketches in hospitals for many years. Many other artists of this era also paid tribute to anatomy - Michelangelo, Albrecht Durer.

The desire to master nature, to subjugate it, to discover its secrets could not but put forward the task of overcoming diseases. And this for the advanced people of this era meant studying in reality, in practice, how the disease is expressed, what phenomena it causes. This means, first of all, it was necessary to study the human body.

The Belgian (Flemish) Vesalius is rightly considered the creator of modern anatomy and the founder of the school of anatomists.

Andreas Vesalius ( real name Witting) (1514-1564) was born in Brussels Andreas grew up in a family of hereditary physicians. His grandfather and great-grandfather were doctors, and his father served as a pharmacist at the court of Emperor Charles V. The interests of those around him undoubtedly influenced the interests and aspirations of young Vesalius. Andreas studied first at school and then at the University of Louvain, where he received a comprehensive education, studied Greek and Latin languages, thanks to which he could get acquainted with the works of scientists already in his youth. Obviously, he read many books about medicine by ancient and contemporary scientists, since his works speak of deep knowledge. Vesalius independently assembled a complete human skeleton from the bones of an executed man. This was the first anatomical manual in Europe.

Every year Vesalius became more and more interested in the study of medicine and anatomical research. In his free time from studying, he carefully dissected the bodies of animals at home: mice, cats, dogs, and enthusiastically studied the structure of their bodies.

In an effort to improve his knowledge in the field of medicine, especially anatomy, Vesalius at the age of seventeen went to the University of Montpellier, and in 1533 he first appeared at the medical faculty of the University of Paris to listen to lectures by the famous anatomist Silvius. Young Vesalius could already be critical of the method of teaching anatomy .

In the preface to the treatise “On the Structure of the Human Body,” he wrote: “My studies would never have led to success if, during my medical work in Paris, I had not put my own hands into this matter... And I myself, somewhat sophisticated own experience, publicly performed a third of the autopsies on his own.”

Vesalius asks questions during his lectures that indicate his doubts about the correctness of Galen’s teachings. Galen is an indisputable authority, his teaching should be accepted without any reservations, and Vesalius trusts his eyes more than Galen’s works.

The scientist rightly considered anatomy to be the basis of medical knowledge, and the goal of his life was the desire to revive the experience of the distant past, to develop and improve the method of studying human anatomy. However, the church, which hindered the development of natural sciences, prohibited the autopsy of human corpses, considering it blasphemy. The young anatomist had to overcome many difficulties.

In order to be able to practice anatomy, he took advantage of every opportunity. If he had money in his pocket, he negotiated with the cemetery watchman, and then a corpse fit for autopsy fell into his hands. If there was no money, he, hiding from the watchman, opened the grave himself, without his knowledge. What to do, I had to take risks!

Vesalius studied the bones of the human and animal skeletons so well that he could name any bone by touch without looking at them.

Vesalius spent three years at the university, and then circumstances were such that he had to leave Paris and go to Louvain again

There Vesalius got into trouble. He removed the corpse of an executed criminal from the gallows and performed an autopsy. The Louvain clergy demanded the strictest punishment for such blasphemy. Vesalius realized that disputes were useless here, and considered it best to leave Louvain and went to Italy.

After receiving his doctorate in 1537, Vesalius began teaching anatomy and surgery at the University of Padua. The government of the Venetian Republic encouraged the development of natural science and sought to expand the work of scientists in this direction.

The brilliant talent of the young scientist was noticed. Twenty-two-year-old Vesalius, who had already received the title of Doctor of Medicine for his work, was appointed to the department of surgery with the responsibility of teaching anatomy.

He gave lectures with inspiration, which always attracted many listeners, worked with students and, most importantly, continued his research. And the more deeply he studied the internal structure of the body, the more he became convinced that there were many very significant errors in Galen’s teachings, which were simply not noticed by those who were under the influence of Galen’s authority.

Four many years he worked on his work. He studied, translated and republished the works of medical scientists of the past, his anatomist predecessors. And in their works he found many errors. “Even the greatest scientists,” wrote Vesalius, “slavishly adhered to the mistakes of others and some strange style in their unsuitable manuals.” The scientist began to trust the most authentic book - the book of the human body, in which there are no errors. At night, by candlelight, Vesalius dissected corpses. He set out to solve great task— correctly describe the location, shape and functions of the organs of the human body.

The result of the scientist’s passionate and persistent work was the famous treatise in seven books, which appeared in 1543 and entitled “On the Structure of the Human Body.” It was a gigantic scientific work, in which new scientific views were presented instead of outdated dogmas. It reflected the cultural rise of humanity during the Renaissance.

Printing developed rapidly in Venice and in Basel, where Vesalius printed his work. His book is decorated with beautiful drawings by the artist Stefan Kalkar, a student of Titian. It is characteristic that the skeletons depicted in the drawings stand in poses characteristic of living people, and the landscapes surrounding some skeletons speak of life, not death. All this work of Vesalius was aimed at the benefit of a living person, at studying his body in order to find a way to preserve his health and life. Each capital letter in the treatise is decorated with a drawing depicting children studying anatomy. This is how it was in ancient times: the art of anatomy was taught from childhood, knowledge was passed on from father to son. The book's magnificent frontispiece artwork depicts Vesalius during a public lecture and dissection of a human corpse.

Vesalius pointed out a number of Galen's errors concerning the structure of the arm, pelvic girdle, sternum, etc., but, above all, the structure of the heart.

Galen argued that in the adult cardiac septum there is a hole preserved from uterine age, and that therefore blood penetrates from the right ventricle directly into the left. Having established the impenetrability of the heart septum, Vesalius could not help but come to the idea that there must be some other way for blood to penetrate from the right heart to the left. Having described the heart valves, Vesalius created the basic prerequisites for the discovery of pulmonary circulation, but this discovery was already made by his successors.

“The work of Vesalius,” wrote the famous Russian scientist I. Pavlov, “is the first human anatomy in modern history of humanity, not merely repeating the instructions and opinions of ancient authorities, but relying on the work of a free, investigative mind.”

Vesalius's work excited the minds of scientists. The courage of his scientific thought was so unusual that, along with his followers who appreciated his discoveries, he had many enemies. The great scientist experienced a lot of grief when even his students abandoned him. The famous Silvius, the teacher of Vesalius, called Vesalius “Vesanus”, which means crazy. He spoke out against him with a sharp pamphlet, which he called “Defense against the slander of the anatomical works of Hippocrates and Galen by a certain madman.”

Most eminent doctors really took Silvius’s side. They joined his demand to curb and punish Vesalius, who dared to criticize the great Galen. Such was the power of recognized authorities, such were the foundations public life of that time, when any innovation caused caution, any bold statement that went beyond the established canons was regarded as freethinking. These were the fruits of the centuries-old ideological monopoly of the church, which instilled inertia and routine.

Having opened dozens of corpses and carefully studied the human skeleton, Vesalius became convinced that the idea that men have one less rib than women is completely wrong. But such a belief went beyond medical science. It affected church doctrine.

Vesalius also did not take into account another statement of the churchmen. In his time, the belief was maintained that there is a bone in the human skeleton that does not burn in fire and is indestructible. It supposedly contains a mysterious power with the help of which a person will be resurrected on the day of the Last Judgment in order to appear before the Lord God. And although no one saw this bone, it was described in scientific works, and there was no doubt about its existence. Vesalius, who described the structure of the human body, directly stated that, while examining the human skeleton, he did not find a mysterious bone.

Vesalius was aware of the consequences of his actions against Galen. He understood that he was speaking out against the prevailing opinion and was hurting the interests of the church: “I set myself the task of showing the structure of a person on himself. Galen performed autopsies not on people, but on animals, especially monkeys. It's not his fault - he had no other option. But those who now, having human organs before their eyes, persist in reproducing mistakes are to blame. Should respect for the memory of a major figure be expressed in repeating his mistakes? You cannot, like parrots, repeat the contents of books from pulpits without making your own observations. Then it’s better for listeners to learn from butchers.”

Vesalius was an innovator not only in the study, but also in the teaching of anatomy. He accompanied his lectures with demonstrations of a corpse, as well as a skeleton and a sitter. He accompanied his anatomical demonstrations with a variety of experiments on living animals. In the work of Vesalius special attention reverses the character of the drawings; nowhere is his corpse depicted lying down, motionless, but everywhere dynamically, in motion, in working poses. This peculiar manner of conveying the body represented the transition from descriptive anatomy to physiology. The drawings in the book of Vesalius give an idea not only of the structure, but partly also of the functions of the body.

Today we will talk about such a great scientist as Andreas Vesalius. You will find his photo and biography in this article. If anyone can be considered the father of anatomy, then, of course, Vesalius. He is a naturalist, creator and founder of modern anatomy. He began to be one of the first to study the human body through dissections. It is from him that all later achievements in anatomy originate.

Andreas Vesalius worked in very difficult times. The century in which he lived was marked by the dominance of the church in all areas of life, including medicine. were prohibited, and violations of this prohibition were severely punished. However, Andreas Vesalius had no intention of retreating. The contribution to biology of this scientist would have been much smaller if he had not risked overstepping taboos and traditions. But, like many of those who were ahead of their time, he paid for his bold ideas.

Do you want to know more about such a great man as Andreas Vesalius, whose contribution to biology is invaluable? We invite you to get to know him better by reading this article.

Origin of Vesalius

Andreas Vesalius (lived 1514-1564) belongs to the Wieting family, who for a long time lived in Nymwegen. Several generations of his family were medical scientists. For example, Andreas's great-great-grandfather, Peter, was the rector and professor of the University of Louvain, a doctor himself. Being a bibliophile and fond of treatises on medicine, he spared no expense in acquiring manuscripts, spending part of his fortune on them. Peter wrote a commentary on the fourth book of Avicenna, the great Eastern encyclopedist. The book is called "The Canon of Medical Science."

Andreas's great-grandfather, John, was also a teacher. He worked at the University of Louvain, where he lectured in mathematics, and was also a doctor. Everard, John's son and Andreas' grandfather, also followed in his father's footsteps, pursuing a career in medicine. Andreas, the father of Andreas Vesalius, served as an apothecary for Charles V's aunt, Princess Margaret. Francis, our hero's younger brother, was also interested in medicine and became a doctor.

Childhood of a future scientist

On December 31, 1514, Andreas Vesalius was born. He was born in Brussels and grew up among doctors who visited his father's house. From the very youth Andreas used a library of medical treatises that were passed down in this family from generation to generation. He developed an interest in this area of ​​knowledge. It should be said that Andreas was unusually erudite. He remembered all the discoveries that were made by different authors and commented on them in his writings.

Study at the University of Louvain and the College of Education

Andreas received a classical education in Brussels at the age of 16. In 1530 he became a student at the University of Louvain. It was founded in 1426 by Johann IV of Brabant. The university was closed after the Great War began french revolution. Students began studying there again in 1817. Latin and Greek, rhetoric and mathematics were taught here. In order to advance in science, one had to have a good knowledge of the languages ​​of antiquity. Andreas, dissatisfied with teaching, moved in 1531 to College of Education, which was founded in 1517 in Louvain.

Vesalius's studies in Paris

Quite early, the future scientist Andreas Vesalius became interested in anatomy. With great passion, in his free time, Andreas dissected and dissected the corpses of domestic animals. Nikolai Floren, his father's friend and court physician, recommended the young man to go to Paris to study medicine. Later, in 1539, Andreas dedicated the work “Epistle on Bloodletting” to this man, in which he called him his second father.

So, Vesalius went to Paris in 1533 to study medicine. He has been studying anatomy here for 3-4 years, listening to lectures by a doctor from Italy, Guido Guidi, better known as Jacques Dubois or Silvius, who was one of the first to study the anatomical structure of the peritoneum, vena cava, etc. on human corpses. Silvius lectured brilliantly. Vesalius also listened to Fernel, who was called the best doctor Europe.

However, Andreas did not limit himself to the lectures of these two doctors. He also studied with Johann Gunther, who taught surgery and anatomy in Paris. Previously, he lectured on Greek at the University of Louvain, after which he moved to Paris (in 1527), where he studied anatomy. Vesalius established cordial relations with Gunther.

Difficulties associated with autopsies

For anatomical research, Vesalius needed the corpses of the dead. However, great difficulties have always been associated with this issue. As you know, this activity was never considered a godly activity. The Church traditionally rebelled against him. Probably Herophilus was the only doctor who dissected corpses and was not persecuted for it. Vesalius, carried away by his scientific interest, went to the Cemetery of the Innocents. He also came to the place of execution of Villar de Montfaucon, where he challenged the corpse of this abbot from stray dogs.

In 1376, at the University of Montpellier, where the major subject was anatomy, doctors received permission to annually dissect the corpse of an executed criminal. This permission was given to them by the brother of Charles V, Louis of Anjou, who was the ruler of Languedoc. It was very important for the development of medicine and anatomy. Subsequently, this permission was confirmed and French king, and then Charles VIII. In 1496, the latter confirmed it with a letter.

Return to Louvain, continued research

Vesalius, having spent more than 3 years in Paris, returned to Louvain. Here he continued to study anatomy with Gemma Frisius, his friend, who later became a famous doctor. Making the first knitted skeleton was very difficult for Andreas Vesalius. Together with his friend, he stole the corpses of those executed, sometimes removing them in parts. At the risk of his life, Andreas climbed the gallows. At night, friends hid body parts in roadside bushes, after which, taking advantage of various occasions, they delivered them home. At home, soft tissues were cut off and bones were boiled. All this had to be done in the strictest secrecy. The attitude towards official autopsies was completely different. Adrian of Blegen, burgomaster of Louvain, did not interfere with them. On the contrary, he patronized young doctors and was sometimes present at autopsies.

Disputes with Driver

Andreas Vesalius argued with Driver, a teacher at the University of Louvain, about how bloodletting should be performed. Two opposing opinions have emerged on this issue. Galen and Hippocrates taught that bloodletting should be performed on the side of the diseased organ. Avicenna and the Arabs believed that this should be done with opposite side. Driver supported Avicena, and Andreas supported Galen and Hippocrates. Driver was outraged by the insolence young doctor. However, he answered him sharply. After this, Driver began to treat Vesalius with hostility. Andreas felt that it would be difficult for him to continue working in Louvain.

Vesalius goes to Venice

It was necessary to go somewhere for a while. But where? Spain disappears - here the Church had great power, and the autopsy of corpses was considered as desecration of the deceased. It was completely impossible. In France and Belgium it was also very difficult to study anatomy. Therefore, Vesalius went to He was attracted by the possibility of some freedom for his anatomical studies. Founded in 1222, the university in Padua became subject to Venice in 1440. Most famous school doctors in Europe became his Faculty of Medicine. Padua received favorably such a promising scientist as Andreas Vesalius, whose main merits were known to his professors.

Andreas becomes a professor

On December 5, 1537, the University of Padua awarded Vesalius at a solemn meeting doctorate, with highest honors. And after Andreas' demonstration of dissection, he was appointed professor of surgery. Vesalius' responsibilities now included teaching anatomy. So at the age of 23, Andreas became a professor. Listeners were attracted by his bright lectures. Soon, under waving flags and the sound of trumpets, Andreas was appointed doctor at the court of the Bishop of Padua himself.

Vesalius had an active nature. He could not come to terms with the routine that dominated the anatomy departments of various universities. Many professors simply monotonously read excerpts from the works of Galen. Illiterate servants performed autopsies on corpses, and lecturers stood next to a volume of Galen in their hands and from time to time pointed to various organs with a wand.

Vesalius's first works

Vesalius published anatomical tables in 1538. They consisted of six sheets of drawings. The engravings were made by S. Kalkar, a student of Titian. In the same year, Vesalius republished the works of Galen. A year later, his own essay appeared, “Letters on Bloodletting.”

Andreas Vesalius, working on the publication of the works of his predecessors, became convinced that they described the structure of the human body based on the dissection of animals. In this way, erroneous information was transmitted that was legitimized by tradition and time. Studying the human body through dissection, Vesalius accumulated facts that he boldly contrasted with generally accepted canons.

"On the structure of the human body"

Andreas Vesalius, during the 4 years he was in Padua, wrote an immortal work called “On the Structure of the Human Body” (book 1-7). It was published in 1543 in Basel and was filled with many illustrations. In this work, Andreas Vesalius (photo of the cover of the work is presented above) gave a description of the structure various systems and organs, pointed out many mistakes made by his predecessors, including Galen. It should be especially noted that after the appearance of this treatise, Galen’s authority was shaken, and after some time it was completely overthrown.

Vesalius' work laid the foundation for modern anatomy. In this work, for the first time in history, a completely scientific, and not speculative, description of the structure of the human body was given, which was based on experimental study.

Andreas Vesalius, the founder of modern anatomy, made a great contribution to its terminology. He took as a basis the names that he introduced in the 1st century. BC Aulus Cornelius Celsus, "Cicero of Medicine" and "Latin Hippocrates".

Andreas brought uniformity to anatomical terminology. With rare exceptions, he threw out all the barbarisms of the Middle Ages. At the same time, he minimized the number of Greekisms. This can be explained to some extent by Vesalius's rejection of many of the provisions of Galen's medicine.

It is noteworthy that Andreas, being an innovator in anatomy, believed that the carriers of the psyche are “animal spirits” produced in the ventricles of the brain. This idea was reminiscent of Galen's theory, since these "spirits" were simply a renaming of the "psychic pneumata" that the ancients had written about.

"On the structure of the human brain"

"About the structure human brain" - another work of Vesalius. This is the result of his study of the achievements of his predecessors in the field of anatomy. However, not only he. The results of his own research placed in this book by Andreas Vesalius. Their contribution to science was much more important than the value of describing the achievements of their predecessors. The essay was done scientific discovery, which was based on new research methods. They were of utmost importance for the development of science of that time.

Diplomatically lavishing praise on Galen and marveling at the versatility of his knowledge and vastness of mind, Vesalius only pointed out “inaccuracies” in the teachings of this physician. However, they were numbered in total more than 200. In essence, they are a refutation of the most important provisions of Galenic teaching.

In particular, Vesalius was the first to refute his opinion that a person has holes in the heart septum through which blood supposedly passes from the right ventricle to the left. Andreas showed that the left and right ventricles do not communicate with each other in postembryonic period. However, from the discovery of Vesalius, which refuted Galen’s ideas about the physiological nature of blood circulation, the scientist was unable to draw the correct conclusions. Only Harvey subsequently succeeded in this.

The ill-fated pamphlet Sylvia

A long-brewing storm erupted after the publication of this great work of Andreas Vesalius. His teacher, Silvius, always considered the authority of Galen indisputable. He believed that everything that did not agree with the view or description of the great Roman was erroneous. For this reason, Silvius rejected the discoveries made by his student. He called Andreas a “slanderer”, “proud”, “monster”, whose breath infects all of Europe. Silvius's students supported their teacher. They also spoke out against Andreas, calling him a blasphemer and an ignoramus. However, Silvius did not limit himself to insults. He wrote a scathing pamphlet in 1555 entitled “Refutation of the Slander of a Certain Madman...”. In 28 chapters, Silvius wittily ridicules his former friend and student and renounces him.

This pamphlet played a fatal role in the fate of the great scientist who was Andreas Vesalius. His biography would probably be supplemented with many further interesting discoveries in the field of anatomy, if not for this document, imbued with jealous envy and malice. He united his enemies and created an atmosphere of public contempt around the name of Vesalius. Andreas was accused of being disrespectful of the teachings of Galen and Hippocrates. These scientists were not formally canonized by the Catholic Church, which was all-powerful at the time. However, their authority and judgments were accepted as truth Holy Scripture. Therefore, objecting to them was equivalent to rejecting the latter. Vesalius was also a student of Silvius. Therefore, if Silvius reproached his ward for slander, the accusation against him seemed plausible.

Let us note that Andreas’ teacher defended Galen’s authority not at all disinterestedly. The scientist’s indignation was due to the fact that Vesalius, while undermining Galen’s reputation, also destroyed Silvius himself, since his knowledge rested on the texts of the classics of medicine, carefully studied and passed on to his students.

The further fate of Andreas' department

Vesalius was mortally wounded by a pamphlet from Silvius. Andreas Vesalius could no longer recover from this blow, whose biography from that moment on was marked by many difficulties that our hero had to face.

Opposition to Andreas' views arose in Padua. One of his most active opponents was Real Colombo, a student of Vesalius and his deputy in the department. Columbo, after publishing Sylvia's insinuation, sharply changed his attitude towards Andreas. He began to criticize him, trying to discredit the scientist in front of the students.

Vesalius left Padua in 1544. After this, Colombo was appointed to the department of anatomy. However, he only worked as her professor for a year. In 1545 Colombo moved to the University of Pisa. And in 1551 he took the chair in Rome and worked in this city until his death. Gabriel Fallopius succeeded Colombo at the See of Padua. He declared himself a student and heir of Vesalius and honorably continued his traditions.

Vesalius enters the royal service

Andreas Vesalius, the founder of scientific anatomy, was driven to despair by the evil fabrications of Silvius. He had to stop his research work. In addition, Vesalius burned some of the materials and manuscripts collected for his future works. In 1544, he was forced to switch to medical practice, entering the service of Charles V, who was at war with France at that time. As a military surgeon, Vesalius was supposed to go with him to the theater of operations.

In September 1544 the war ended. Andreas went to Brussels. Vesalius's father soon died here. After the death of his father, the scientist inherited and started a family. Charles V arrived in Brussels in January 1545. Andreas was to become his attending physician. Karl suffered from gout. He ate very lavishly. The doctor Andreas Vesalius made great efforts to alleviate his suffering.

In 1555 he abdicated the throne. Vesalius began to serve under Philip II, his son. The latter moved from Brussels to Madrid in 1559 along with his court, and Andreas and his family followed him.

Pilgrimage to Palestine, death

Vesalius began to be mercilessly persecuted. He was accused of stabbing a living person during the dissection of a corpse. Andreas Vesalius, whose contribution to medicine was enormous, was sentenced to death penalty. Only thanks to the intercession of the king was it replaced by another punishment - a pilgrimage to Palestine. Vesalius had to go to the Holy Sepulcher. At that time it was a difficult and dangerous journey.

Already upon returning home, Andreas' ship was wrecked at the entrance to the Strait of Corinth. The scientist was thrown onto the island. Zante. Here he became seriously ill. October 2, 1564, aged 50, famous doctor died. Andreas Vesalius was buried on this pine-covered, secluded island.

The contribution to medicine of this scientist can hardly be overestimated. For his time, his achievements were simply revolutionary. Fortunately, the works of such a scientist as Andreas Vesalius were not in vain. His main discoveries were developed and supplemented by numerous followers, who appeared in increasing numbers after his death.

Andrei Vesalius is the founder of scientific anatomy. His remarkable book De humini corporus fabrica, created in 1543, was the first fully illustrated anatomy of the human body. It was based on the scientist’s observations made during autopsies, and refuted many thousand-year-old misconceptions in this area of ​​​​knowledge. Andrei Vesalius - Renaissance scientist. He was professor of anatomy at the University of Padua and physician to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

Andrei Vesalius: short biography

Vesalius was born on December 31, 1514 in Brussels. At that time the city was part of the Holy Roman Empire. Today it is the capital of Belgium. Andrei was one of four children - he had two brothers and a sister. His father, Anders van Wezele, served as court apothecary to Margaret of Austria. The mother, Isabel Crabb, raised the children in a rich house located in a respectable area near the Coudenberg Palace, where the boy’s father worked.

Vesalius went to school at the age of six. It was probably educational institution Catholic Brotherhood in Brussels. Over the course of 9 years, he mastered arithmetic, Latin and other languages, and also thoroughly studied the principles of the Catholic religion. His father was often absent on duty. And the boy, encouraged by his mother to follow in his father's footsteps, took full advantage of the family's well-stocked library.

College

At the age of 15, Andrei Vesalius entered the University of Louvain. It was located 30 km east of Brussels. It was a moment of family pride: his father was prohibited from receiving higher education, since he was born out of wedlock. As was customary then, Vesalius studied art and Latin. He also mastered Hebrew and Greek. After receiving his Master of Arts degree in 1532, he was accepted into the prestigious medical school of the University of Paris.

Paris Medical School

Andrei Vesalius began his medical education in 1533, at the age of 19. Great influence The talented student was influenced by the works of the ancient Greek physician Claudius Galen, written 1300 years before he met them. These teachings were considered the absolute and unimpeachable truth. Most of Galen's anatomical observations were made during the dissection of animals, mainly primates, since dissection of humans was prohibited in that era.

As an anatomist, Andrei Vesalius owes much to his anatomy teacher Johann Guinter von Andernach, who translated Galen's ancient Greek texts into Latin. Like the ancient Greek doctor, he believed personal experience and observations the best way obtaining anatomical knowledge. Most human autopsies at that time were performed solely for the purpose of assuring students that everything Galen and Hippocrates wrote was true.

During a typical demonstration, a butcher or surgeon made the necessary cuts, and a teacher, sitting high above the body, read relevant passages from ancient works aloud. The assistant helped the students by pointing out the organs being discussed. Since the ancient texts could not contain any errors, students were not allowed to ask questions or discuss dissection. Academic disputes tended to concern the correct translation of ancient works rather than anatomy.

Guinter von Andernach was a rare type of teacher in those days. He allowed his students to dissect themselves. Although this practice was condemned by most universities. As a rule, autopsies were performed on executed criminals, and were considered humiliating for educated people deal with these despicable specimens.

Guinther was so impressed by Vesalius' talents that he asked him to help with a book on Galenic anatomy, Institutiones anatomicae. The work was published in 1536. In it, Guinther praised his 21-year-old student: “This promising young man has an outstanding knowledge of medicine, is fluent in Latin and Greek, and is very experienced in anatomy.”

Louvain Medical School

Andrew Vesalius was forced to leave Paris in 1536 as war broke out between France and the Holy Roman Empire. To complete his medical studies he returned to the University of Louvain. His expertise in anatomy was quickly recognized. Soon Vesalius was tasked with observing and commenting on the autopsy of an 18-year-old noblewoman who died suddenly. Dissecting young women was rare at the time. Vesalius was outraged by the surgeon's inexperience and took over the autopsy himself.

Despite his keen awareness of his growing experience, he was still dissatisfied with his knowledge of human anatomy. Vesalius realized that the texts could teach him nothing more. Now Andrew had to break down the barriers to knowledge erected by the old professors of medicine who were happy to worship Galen and Hippocrates. For research he needed human bodies.

Soon after returning to Louvain, Andrei Vesalius and his friend found the almost complete corpse of an executed criminal, left under open air. The opportunity was too good to miss. That night, Vesalius secretly made his way to the body, stole and dissected it, making a skeleton out of it, which he then used as a visual aid. To avoid arousing suspicion, he made up a story that he had brought it from Paris. By conducting demonstration dissections for students, Vesalius in Louvain effectively became an informal teacher of anatomy. In 1537, at age 22, he received his bachelor's degree in medicine.

Andrei Vesalius: biography of the scientist

The young doctor wanted to become a doctor. To do this, he needed to obtain the appropriate qualifications. To this end, he entered the University of Padua in northern Italy. The professors quickly realized that Vesalius was an exceptional student. Almost immediately they allowed him to surrender final exams. The gifted young man received his doctorate just in time for his twenty-third birthday. The teachers immediately elected him professor of anatomy and surgery.

Andrei Vesalius will write his main works in Padua. He strongly felt the need for illustrations and visual aids that could help students understand anatomy. Vesalius used them during autopsies. In the first year of his professorship, in 1538, he published Tabulae anatomicae sex - “Six anatomical tables.” The visual illustrations were accompanied by notes that Andrei Vesalius made during his first public autopsy in Padua. The scientist’s contribution to anatomy is undeniable. He drew up schematic images of the liver, venous and arterial systems, as well as the skeleton. The book instantly became very popular. It was shamelessly copied.

In 1539, Vesalius' anatomical studies received the support of the judge of Padua. He became interested in the scientist’s work and began supplying him with bodies of executed criminals for autopsy. By this time it became obvious to Vesalius that Galen's anatomy was incorrect. However, refuting prevailing ideas is a difficult and sometimes dangerous matter. Even in more recent times, too often new ideas have had to fight for their right to exist, even if they were supported by strong evidence. Vesalius had to refute the orthodox views that had prevailed for 1300 years.

In the work “Six Anatomical Tables”, instead of describing his modern observations During the research, the scientist made concessions to tradition. Andrei Vesalius introduced the liver to medieval form- in the form of a five-lobed flower. He depicted the heart and aorta as Galen described them - these were the organs of monkeys, not humans. However, he managed to make revolutionary, albeit subtle, changes in the skeleton. Vesalius showed a human jaw consisting of one bone, not two, as Galen incorrectly claimed.

Letter on Bloodletting

In addition to this mini-rebellion, Vesalius also took part in the controversy over venosection, or bloodletting. This technique was regularly used to treat or relieve symptoms in patients. Doctors argued about where to make a vein incision - near the site of injury or at a distance from it. The debate heated up because doctors relied on an Arabic translation of Galen's works—his original works in Greek had not been available in Europe since Roman times. However, the fall of Constantinople changed this situation. And Galen's works could again be studied in the original. Doctors discovered that Greek text sometimes disagrees with Arabic translation, which they have used for so long.

In 1539, at the age of 24, Vesalius wrote a letter about bloodletting. While not advocating any revolutionary change, he again broke with accepted practice by reporting his own observations rather than quoting classical texts. Vesalius was now determined to seek the truth on our own rather than relying on the work of others.

The emergence of a new anatomy

In 1540, at the age of 25, Andrei Vesalius began working on an illustrated anatomy textbook, De humini corporus fabrica (On the Structure of the Human Body). This book became his most significant work. In 1543, Vesalius took Padua. He went to Basel, Switzerland, to complete the preparation of the book for publication.

On the Structure of the Human Body was an impressive work of 700 pages in seven volumes. Its visual impact - more than 270 breathtaking illustrations - was enormous. The second volume, for example, features stunningly detailed images of people, showing the muscular structure of the body layer by layer in a series of illustrations. These drawings are probably the most famous medical images in history.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the book that Andrei Vesalius wrote. The contribution to medicine was enormous. In addition, the work became an important milestone in the history of art. Unfortunately, the name of the artist who worked with the scientist remains unknown. The images were accompanied by a description of how the muscles worked.

It is not surprising that, given the wealth of illustrations and large volume, the book was an expensive purchase. It was intended for doctors, libraries and aristocrats. Realizing that others might be interested in his work, the author simultaneously released a practical, more accessible book with fewer pictures called Epitome. Andrei Vesalius in his Epitomus used many more male bodies for illustrations than female ones, probably because there were significantly more executed male criminals than female ones.

Fabrica became the founder of the modern science of human anatomy. She decisively broke with Galen and Hippocrates. Andrei Vesalius based his discoveries only on what he actually saw during autopsies, and not on what he expected to see. Here are just a few of his statements:

• There is no bone at the base of the heart. Her description by Galen actually referred to the cartilage at the base of the heart of deer and other animals, which hardened as the beast aged.
• The sternum consists of three parts, not seven, as Galen claimed, based on dissections of monkeys.
• The septum of the heart is not porous. There are no holes in it.
• The vena cava begins in the heart, and not in the liver, as Galen argued.
• There is no such organ as the rete mirabile - the "miraculous plexus" of internal arteries that supposedly led from the heart to the brain.
• Men and women have an equal number of ribs. Representatives of the stronger sex do not have a missing rib, as was commonly believed.
• Men and women have the same number of teeth. Galen argued that the former had more of them.

Most readers greeted the book positively. It has become a reference for serious anatomists and doctors. However, some physicians and scientists felt threatened, since they had built their careers on Galen's work, and attacked Vesalius.

For example, Jacob Silvius, who taught Andrei in Paris, described his former student as an impudent and illiterate slanderer who treacherously attacked his teacher with aggressive lies, distorting the truth of nature again and again. By saying this, he may have taken revenge on his student, who had previously said that Silvius's teaching methods, which consisted of studying the corpses of cats and dogs, rather than people, were not capable of leading to progress in the science of human anatomy.

Andrei Vesalius dedicated “On the Structure of the Human Body” to Emperor Charles V. He also presented him with a special copy printed on parchment. And Vesalius dedicated the Epitome to Charles’s son, Prince Philip.

Court physician

When the emperor noticed a book authored by Andrei Vesalius, the scientist’s biography took another turn - he was appointed physician to the imperial family. He resigned his duties as a professor in Padua, becoming the fifth representative of the Vesalius dynasty to serve at court. As a life medic, he had to serve in the army. When the war began, Vesalius was sent to the battlefield as a surgeon. Accustomed to working with cadavers, he struggled to operate on living patients. Experienced surgeon Daza Chacon helped him learn how to quickly perform amputations.

In the winter of 1543, Vesalius came to Italy to speak and then in the spring of 1544 he returned to military service. He became an excellent surgeon. One of Vesalius' court duties was to embalm the corpses of wealthy nobles killed in battle. This allowed him to conduct further anatomical studies, take notes and make observations.

Peace was declared in mid-1544. And Andrei Vesalius, the surgeon, returned to take care of the emperor and his court in a more comfortable environment. His reputation continued to grow as he received letters from doctors throughout Europe asking for advice in the most difficult cases.

In 1556, Emperor Charles V transferred power to his son Philip. In gratitude to Vesalius, who was 41 years old, for his faithful service, Charles granted him a lifelong pension and the aristocratic title of Count Palatine. The court physician continued to work, now in the service of Philip.

Pilgrimage

Andrew Vesalius accompanied Philip to Madrid, but he did not enjoy life there. Spanish doctors treated diseases by relying on the movements of the planets. The dissection of human bodies was prohibited. It all seemed pretty backwards. In addition, Philip gave preference to traditional medical methods treatment, not modern scientific. It became clear to Vesalius that he would never become the ruler's chief physician.

In 1561, professor of anatomy Gabriele Fallopius, who held former place Andrew at the University of Padua, sent him a copy of a book he had written called Observationes Anatomicae. In it he commented on "On the Structure of the Human Body," pointing out in a friendly manner some discrepancies between Vesalius's work and his own later observations. He also made it clear that he was seriously ill.

In 1564, Fallopius died. The Department of Anatomy in Padua became vacant. That same year, Vesalius left Spain on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Various surviving sources claim that he was sent by Philip to go on a pilgrimage as a sign of repentance. The emperor allegedly made this decision after a noble family reported on the revolutionary anatomist about his autopsy of a nobleman whose heart was still beating.

All these reports rely on a single source - a letter allegedly written in 1565 by the diplomat Hubert Languette. It was most likely fabricated 50 years after the death of the anatomist. Andrei Vesalius, whose biography is not tainted by such facts (there are no primary documents confirming the accusations brought against him), probably took the pilgrimage trick in order to freely leave Philip’s court in Spain and then return to Padua.

Personal life and death

In 1544, Vesalius married the daughter of a wealthy councilor in Brussels, Anna van Hamme. They had one child, a girl, who was born in 1545. Her parents named her Anna. The family lived together most of time. But when Vesalius went on his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, his wife and daughter returned to Brussels.

The scientist reached Jerusalem, where he received a letter inviting him to accept the chair of anatomy and surgery at the University of Padua. Unfortunately, Andrei Vesalius, whose short biography was tragically interrupted, never returned to Padua. His journey from Jerusalem was marred by severe storms. By the time the ship reached port on the Greek island of Zakynthos, Vesalius was desperately ill. He died a few days later. Andrei Vesalius, the founder of scientific anatomy, died at the age of 49. This happened on October 15, 1564. He was buried in Zakynthos.