Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 569

MARCELLO MALPIGHI (1628-1694) De pulmonibus observationes anatomicae. (In Thomas Bartholin's De pulmonum substantia & motu diatribe, Copenhagen, 1663 (see No. 517), pp. 103-[128].) 16 cm.

Anatomist, embryologist, physiologist, and microscopist, Malpighi was not only instrumental in the development of embryology and histology but was also one of the greatest microscopic anatomists. He began his studies in philosophy at Bologna in 1645 but was delayed for several years by pressing family matters. He returned to study medicine at Bologna in 1651 and received his degree two years later. He then taught for a time at Bologna and was invited to Pisa where he developed a close relationship with Borelli (see No. 496). He taught at Pisa for three years and returned to Bologna. He was also on the faculty at Messina for four years before coming back to Bologna in 1666 where he stayed for the remainder of his career. Malpighi made many important scientific contributions, but many authorities consider his discovery of the pulmonary circulation to be the most important. De pulmonibus observationes anatomicae was initially written in the form of two letters to Borelli at Pisa in which he described his microscopic studies of the lung of a living frog. The letters first appeared in print as a small pamphlet in 1661 and again, as here, in Bartholin's book. In the first letter, Malpighi showed that the lungs were vesicular in nature and described how the branches of the trachea terminate in the alveoli. In the final letter, he presented his description of the capillaries which he observed linking the arterial and the venous circulation. In so doing, he provided the final proof of the validity of Harvey's (see No. 416 ff.) theories on the circulation of the blood.

See Related Record(s): 517 496 416

Cited references: Garrison-Morton 760; Osler 988 (plates wanting); Waller 727; Wellcome II, p. 108

Gift of John Martin, M.D.