Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 527.5

PIERRE BOREL (1620?-1671) Petri Borelli, medici Castrensis. Historiarum, et observationum medico-physicarum, centura prima : in qua, non solum, multa utilia, sed & rara, stupenda ac inaudita continentur Apud Arnaldum Colomerium, Regium Typographum 1653 1at 24 unnumbered pages, 240 pages 17cm

This is “the first work to apply microscopy to medicine. Borel probably saw the blood corpuscules and Sarcoptes scabiei” – Garrison-Morton 260. The use of the microscope in medicine revealed another world for physicians and scientists. There are also a number of dental and ophthalmological observations. Borel (1620-71), was born at Castres, studied medicine at Montpellier, and began his practice at Castres in 1641. In 1653 he went to Paris and about 1654 was appointed physician to the king. During his whole life he ardently pursued the study of natural history, chemistry, optics, astronomy, antiquities, philology, and bibliography. Among his other works are the first bibliography of chemistry (1654) and the first history of the telescope from the town itself and countryside surrounding Castres.

Cited references: Garrison Morton 260; NLM 17th 1570

John Martin M.D. Endowment