Vesalius, Anatomy, Karate, Aviation, and old books...a personal Web Page
Note: This is a page dedicated to my own personal interests. Bear
in mind that being what it is, this page reflects personal views and experiences,
and should be read with that consideration - Dr. Efrain A. Miranda.
I have dedicated much of my life to teaching Human Clinical Anatomy, both domestic and internationally. I have also dedicated part of my own personal time to hobbies or personal quests that are related to Human Clinical Anatomy. I have always been impressed by the life and works of Andreas Vesalius, an anatomist of the early Renaissance, and as a result I have published a modified biography, established links to web sites that provide information on Vesalius and his works, and traveled to follow and study his life and works.
I also like to collect old medical and anatomy books. I am working on a page with my personal library catalog. This is a work in progress. Through a classmate I recently came into the possesion of a treasure of the history of Chilean Surgery. A group of books that have been owned by three surgeons that made an impression in the history of surgery in Chile. They are Dr. Pedro Eleodoro Fontecilla Sotomayor (1826-1911), Dr. Caupolican Pardo Correa (1870-1933), and Dr. Roberto Aguirrre Luco (1871-1938). This finding is incredibly important since these three surgeons influenced anatomical teaching, surgical technique and politics of the country. I commissioned a biographical and bibliographical study of all of them. Maybe some day I will have the time to translate and publish it.
My other hobbies include Martial Arts, specifically, Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do, which I have practiced for 26 years. On October 9, 2004 I received my sixth degree black belt from Shihan Felix Garcia, 8th degree and Grand Master of the style. The website for the Hombu Dojo of the style can be found here.
Early in 2004 I started the training to obtain my private pilot's license at Blue Ash Aviation at the Blue Ash airport in Cincinnati. On May 5th, 2004 I did my first solo flight and in September 22, 2004, I obtained my private pilot's license. In fact, I feel so strongly about aviation that I have decided to open my own personal aviation page.
As a side interest, I have studied HTML and the development of web sites. Recently a friend opened a restaurant and I offered to help him develop his site on the Internet. If you like sushi, and are visiting the Northern Cincinnati area, visit the Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. You will not be dissapointed.
My
trips and Vesalius
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.
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 Astley Cooper. 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.
On Sunday, February 23, 2003 I had the opportunity to visit 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 in 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
I have made an initial translation as follows:
(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
On April 2003 I returned to Brussels 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 has 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 and I have translated as:
"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 - said born in Brussels on December 31st, 1514 - Shipwrecked in Zanthe, reported dead on October 15, 1564."
On June 16, 2005 I received the following note from Prof. Em. Dr. Omer Steeno"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.
The anatomy exhibit of Dr. Gunther Von Hagens has raised much controversy, because of the public display of human cadavers, the artistic poses, and the interesting personality of Dr. Von Hagens. In the past few years I tried to coordinate my international trips with this exhibit. Unfortunately, it seems that everytime I made to a city where Korperwelten was touring, I either was a week too late or two weeks too early.
Fortunately, I was able to attend the new USA exhibit, renamed Body Worlds, and I was truly amazed at the detail, work, and care placed in this exhibit. Each display is artwork that allows the layperson and the anatomist to observe the interior of the human body. I spent several hours in the exhibit in Chicago, and was extremely interested to see the reaction of the general public, admiration, curiosity, and marvel. I hope to be able to attend the sister exhibit in Cleveland, before they close in September, 2005. If you are interested in more information, follow the links presented here.
More travels
Since I was born in Chile, I have traveled extensively throughout the country and would like to share some of my experiences, best places to eat, etc. visit my Chile page if you are planning to go there.
Dear reader, should you want to follow and visit these places, feel free to e-mail me and I will gladly share with you maps and directions. Also, please let me know of your travels and visits, and I will probably follow you.
Dr. Efrain A. Miranda
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