Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 476

JOHANN VESLING (1598-1649) Syntagma anatomicum publicis dissectionib[us], in auditoru[m] usum, diligenter aptatum. Sumptibus Johannis Beyeri 1641 [24] 194 (misnumbered 149) [2] 195-262 pp., 2 plates. 12.1 cm.

A native Westphalian, Vesling lived in Egypt for several years before becoming professor of anatomy and surgery at Padua in 1632. He was also director of the botanical gardens there and, in addition to his study of Egyptian flora, also led a scientific expedition to Crete in order to study its plant life. The present work is his most important contribution and was popular as a textbook for a number of years. Vesling aimed to explain the parts of the body as they were encountered during dissection and to avoid discussion of theoretical matters in order not to create confusion. However, he departed from his stated purpose to give a clear picture of the circulation of the blood and action of the heart based on Harvey's research. His descriptions of the lymphatics and assertion that four pulmonary veins normally empty into the heart's left auricle are of particular scientific significance. Although later editions of the book have twenty-four plates, this first edition has only two.

See Related Record(s): 421

Cited references: Choulant-Frank, p. 243; Waller 9933

Gift of John Martin, M.D.