Vesaliana

The original books by Vesalius are rare and extremely expensive, only a few copies can be found in the market for sale from time to time. Vesalius books and methods revolutionized the teaching of anatomy and his books were plagiarized by many, much to the chagrin of Vesalius and Oporinus, who received no payment for these pirate copies. His books and drawings were translated into many languages, including Spanish, French and German. Some USA Universities keep copies of these originals, copies and reprints in their Rare Medical Books sections. I own some newer Vesaliana books and, of course, I want to own an original Vesalius sometime...a dream.

Reading an original 1543 Fabrica!  I had the opportunity to visit the collection of the John Martin Rare Book Room at the University of Iowa Medical School in June, 1999. Mr. Richard Eimas, Librarian and Curator of the John Martin Rare Book Room showed me and allowed me to read original copies of the Fabrica and the Epitome by Vesalius as well as other original and rare medical books, including De Muto Cordis, by William Harvey. The books I had the opportunity to review were placed on an antique desk that belonged to Sir William Osler. I was accompanied by Dr. Hannno Boon, a professor at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. It was with distress that I learned that Dr. Boon had been murdered in a senseless crime on December 2004.

 In 2003 I visited the place where Andreas Vesalius was born in Brussels, Belgium. His home is longer standing. In its place a convent was built in 1621 and in 1725, a church. The church has undergone many changes, but it still stands in the same place. The area is called Sablon, and the Church is the Eglise des Minimes at the Rue des Minimes. The address is 62, Rue des Minimes, and there are usually concerts in the church. A large sign placed on the side of the church reads:

DIGNUM MEMORIAM

IN HAC AREA SECVLO XVI
SVRGEBAT DOMVS
PERCELEBRIS AVTORIS
ANDREAE VESALII BRVXELLENSIS
1515-1564
QVI ANNO 1542 SVVM CELEBERRIMVM
LIBRVM DE HVMANI CORPORIS FABRICA
FELICITER POSTERIS TYPIS MANDAVIT

Vesalius Birthplace Sign

It translates as:

(IN) DESERVING MEMORY.

IN THIS SITE (IN) THE XVI CENTURY AROSE THE HOME (OF THE) VERY FAMOUS AUTHOR ANDREAS VESALIUS OF BRUSSELS (1515-1564) WHO IN THE YEAR 1542 ORDERED THE PRINTING OF HIS MOST FAMOUS BOOK “THE STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN BODY" TO THE HAPPINESS OF POSTERITY

I returned to Brussels years later to continue finding Vesaliana. Following a tip by Dr. Johan Van Robays I found the statue of Vesalius. This statue is at the Place Des Barricades, was designed by Hector Goffart (could not find information on the year), and has an inscription. Vesalius is depicted in a lecturing position and is holding the Fabrica in his left hand. He seems to be pointing casually at the book. Notice the size of the book - this is why it is called a handbook - you cannot place it in your pocket! The inscription is missing a couple of the metal letters and has abbreviations. The text reads as follows:

"ANDREAE VESALIO SCIENTIAE ANATOMICAE PARENTI - NATUM BRUXELL DICTUM XXXI DECEMBER MDLIIII NAUFRAGUS IN JACYNTHO OBITER DICTUM XV OCTOBER MDLXLIII"

"Andreas Vesalius, father of the anatomical science - born in Brussels on December 31st, 1514 - Shipwrecked in Zanthe, reported dead on October 15, 1564."Vesalius statue in Brussels

Prof. Em. Dr. Omer Steeno notified me that "The inauguration of the statue of Vesalius in the "Rue des Barricades" in Brussels took place on December 31, 1847". Thanks for this information.

What is interesting is that the only street in Brussels named after Vesalius, the Rue Vesale, is a short one-block street where there are no doors that open to the street. It is very close to the Place de Barricades, towards the Rue Royale. The sign in the street reads "Andreas Vesalius, scientist of Brussels, creator of anatomy". This could be a little bit too much.

In the same trip I visited the Anatomy Department at Leyden, in the Netherlands, where Bidloo and Albinus where once directors of the department. I toured the museum and the facilities.

On June 12, 2003 I attended the "Visionary Anatomy" symposium at the National Library of Medicine in Washington, DC. I also attended the "Dream Anatomy" exhibit. I strongly recommend anyone interested in anatomy or medical illustration to visit this exhibit. There is much information at the online exhibit site.

UPDATE: 03/12/2015 - The latest book that can be added to the "Vesaliana" is the "New Fabrica" by Drs. Daniel Garrison and Malcom Hast. For more information read this article published in "Medical Terminology Daily"