Atlas of Human Anatomy and Surgery: The complete colored Plates of 1831-1854

547 Pages·2008·507.76 MB·English

by  Jacob

J. M. BOUrGeiY & N. H. jaCOB
ATLAS OF HUMAN ANATOMY
AND SURGERY
THE COLOURED PLATES OF 1831-1854
Atlas d’anatomie humaine et de chirurgie
Atlas der menschlichen Anatomie und der Chirurgie
TASCHEN

j. M. BOurcerY & n . h . ja c o B
ATI AS OF
HUMAN ANATOMY
AND
SURGERY
Atlas d’anatomie humaine
et de chirurgie
Atlas der menschlichen Anatomie
und Chirurgie
*
Traité complet de l’anatomie de l’homme
A Selection / Une sélection /
Eine Auswahl
Edited by/commenté par /bearbeitet von
J ean-M arie Le Minor & Henri Sick
TASCHEN
HONGKONG KÖLN LONDON LOS ANGELES MADRID PARIS TOKYO
INTRODUCTION - EINLEITUNG
Jean-Marie Le Minor & Henri Sick
THE ATLAS OF ANATOMY AND SURGERY BY J. M. BOURGERYAND N. H. JACOB-
A MONUMENTAL WORK OF THE 19th CENTURY
6
L’ATLAS D’ANATOMIE ET DE CHIRURGIE DE J. M. BOURGERY ET N. H. JACOB -
UNE ŒUVRE MONUMENTALE DU 19e SIÈCLE
20
ATLAS DER ANATOMIE UND CHIRURGIE VON J. M. BOURGERY UND N. H. JACOB -
EIN MONUMENTALWERK DES 19. JAHRHUNDERTS
34
1
v o L u m e
OSTEOLOGIAET SYNDESMOLOGIA:
OSSA, ARTICULATIONES, ET LIGAMENTA
Osteology and Syndesmology: Bones, joints and ligaments
Osteologie et Syndesmologie: Os, Articulations, et Ligaments
Osteologie und Syndesmologie: Knochen, Gelenke und Bänder
50
voLume 2
MYOLOGIA: MUSCULI, TEND INES, ET FASCIAE
Myology: Muscles, Tendons and Fascias
Myologie: Muscles, Tendons, et Fascias
Myologie: Muskeln, Sehnen und Faszien
118
voLume 3
NEVROLOGIA: SYSTEMA NERVOSUM CENTRALE,
PERIPHERICUM, ETAUTONOMICUM. ORGANA SENSUUM
Neurology: Central, peripheraland vegetative nervous system. Sensory organs
Névrologie: Système nerveux central, périphérique, et autonome. Organes des sens
Neurologie: Zentrales, peripheres und vegetatives Nervensystem. Sinnesorgane
192
voLume 4
ANGIOLOGIA: COR, ARTERIAE, VENAE, SYSTEMALYMPHATICUM
SPLANCHNOLOGIA: VISCERA THORACIS
Angiology: Heart, arteries, veins, lymphatic system — Splanchnology: Thoracic organs
AnGIOLOGIE: CŒUR, ARTÈRES, VEINES, SYSTÈME LYMPHATIQUE - SpLANCHNOLOGIE: VlSCÈRES THORACIQUES
Angiologie: Herz, Arterien, Venen, Lymphsystem - Splanchnologie: Brustorgane
282
vomme 5
SPLANCHNOLOGIA: VISCERA ABDOMINIS
Splanchnology: Abdominal organs
Splanchnologie: Viscères de l’abdomen
Splanchnologie: Baucheingeweide
356
volume 6
ANATOMIA CHIRURGICA. ARTES CHIRURGICAE
Surgical anatomy. Surgical techniques
Anatomie chirurgicale. Techniques chirurgicales
Chirurgische Anatomie. Chirurgische Techniken
426
vomme ?
ANATOMIA CHIRURGICA. ARTES CHIRURGICAE
Surgical Anatomy. Surgical techniques
Anatomie chirurgicale. Techniques chirurgicales
Chirurgische Anatomie. Chirurgische Techniken
(excerpts I EXTRAITS I AUSZÜGE)
510
INDEX - BIBLIOGRAPHY
538

jean-Marie Le Minor & Henri sick
*
THE ATLAS OF ANATOMY AND SURGERY
RYJ. M. ROURGERYAND N. H. JACOB -
A MONUMENTAL WORK OF THE 19 th CENTURY
Human anatomy, the morphological study of the architecture Vésale (1514-1564), De humani corporis fabrica, was pub­ ginal copperplate engravings by Pieter van Gunst based on
of the human body, based on dissection, has given rise to the lished in Basle; it is indisputably the most outstanding book drawings by Gérard de Lairesse (16407-1711).
publication of some outstanding illustrated books. The in the whole histoiy of anatomy both in respect of its concept In the 18th centuiy, numerous outstanding works on
Complete treatise of human anatomy byJ.M. Bourgeiy and of its aesthetic qualities (ill. p. 11). The publication of anatomy illustrated with copperplate engravings appeared,
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and N. H. Jacob, published in Paris between i i and 1854, this work represented a veritable scientific revolution, pro­ but often they were confined to some specialized aspect of
while joining a long list of illustrated works, at the same time viding a new vision of Man by replacing Galen’s speculative the subject. The most remarkable is that by Bernhard Sieg­
represents one of the most remarkable works in the whole studies and his extrapolations from animal anatomy by sys­ fried Weiss alias Albinus (1697-1770), professor of anatomy
histoiy of anatomy, and in any case is the most outstanding to tematic dissections of the human body. Vésale’s work com­ and surgeiy at Leyden, devoted to osteology and myology, or
be published in the 19th centuiy. The work is monumental: in prises 25 superb plates separate from the text, and numerous the study of bones and muscles; Tabulae sceleti et musculo­
large folio format, it comprises eight volumes of text totalling figures within the text, all of them woodcuts, probably the rum corporis humani, published in Leyden in 1747, with 40
2108 pages, and atlas volumes with 725 plates, representing work of Jan Stephan von Calcar, who belonged to Titian’s cir­ plates by Jean Wandelaer (1690-1759), a former pupil of
a total of 3750 figures. The present edition covers all plates cle. This book, of which a second improved edition appeared Gérard de Lairesse (ills. pp. 15-17). This work enjoyed great
from volumes 1-6 and a selection from volume 7. in 1555, and which went through several more, had a consid­ success and opened up a new path in scientific anatomical
erable impact and was copied by numerous authors. It would depiction and was much copied as a result.
henceforth no longer be possible to think of anatomy without Among other remarkable works, we might also mention
THE MAJOR WORKS OF ANATOMY PRIOR illustrations. those by William Cowper (1666-1709), Myotomia refor­
TO THE 19th CENTURY Among the most outstanding anatomical works of the mata (London, 1724); Albrecht von Haller (1708-1777),
16th centuiy, we might mention that by Charles Estienne leones anatomicae, published in eight instalments in Göt­
Anatomical knowledge was for a long time limited to data (c. 1504-1564), De dissectionepartium corporis humani, tingen between 1743 and 1756, with 46 admirable plates;
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gathered from the dissection of animals by Galen (c. i o- which was published in Paris in 1545, with a French edition Paolo Mascagni (1752-1815), on the lymphatic system, Va-
c. 200), a Greek physician who practised in Pergamon and published in 1546, comprising 62 woodcut plates, and nu­ sorum lymphaticorum corporis humani historia (Siena,
Rome, and whose influence was considerable right up until merous vignettes in the text; although published two years 1787); and Antonio Scarpa (1752-1832), on the nerves. Tab­
the 16th centuiy. after the work by Vésale, Estienne’s had been in the making ulae nevrologicae (Pavia, 1794). The magnificent work by
In the Middle Ages, the only work on anatomy truly wor­ since 1530. In 1556, Juan Valverde de Hamusco (c. 1525- Jacques Gamelin (1738-1803), painter, graphic artist and
thy of the name was that of Mondino dei Luzzi (c. 1275-1326), c. 1587) published in Rome a work in Spanish copied from engraver, Nouveau recueil d’ostéologie et de myologie,
written in i3i9 and titled Anathomia-, taking up the data of Vésale; a Latin edition of this work, entitled Vivae imag­ published in Toulouse in 1779 with 79 plates, is somewhat
Galen, he made some interesting observations on the basis of ines partium corporis humani, was published in 1566 by different in that it treats anatomy artistically rather than
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human dissections he had undertaken in i i _ C. Plantin in Antwerp, with, for almost the veiy first time, the medically. Finally we should mention the extraordinaiy
These works were disseminated in the form of manu­ use of copperplate engraving for the illustrations; this new works printed in colour by Jacques Fabien Gautier d’Agoty
script copies and were veiy sparsely illustrated. With the technique, allowing a precision and half-tone finesse impos­ (1710-1785), in part in collaboration with the surgeon J. F.
invention of printing by Johannes Gensfleisch alias Guten­ sible to achieve with woodcuts, opened up new and unheard- Duvemey: Myologie complette en couleur et grandeur
berg (c. 1397-1468) in about 1450, the dissemination of of possibilities, and was destined to be used until the begin­ naturelle, with 20 plates (Paris, 1746; ill. p. 23), Anatomie
knowledge was to increase by leaps and bounds. The so- ning of the 19th centuiy. Finally, in 1600, André Du Laurens de la tête, with 8 plates (Paris, 1748; ill. p. 21), Anatomie
called incunabula, in other words works printed before (15587-1609), professor at Montpellier, published in Paris générale des viscères et de la névrologie, angéologie et
1500, include the first edition of the Anathomia of dei and Frankfurt an Historia anatomica humani corporis ostéologie du corps humain, with 18 plates (Paris, 1754),
Luzzi, printed in 1478; this work underwent several subse­ illustrated by 26 splendid copperplate engravings. and Exposition anatomique de la structure du corps
quent editions, in particular one with a commentaiy by For the 17th centuiy, we should mention the work of humain, with 20 plates (Marseilles, 1759).
Berengario da Carpi (14607-1530), professor in Bologna, Giulio Casserio alias Julius Casserius (c. 1550-1616), Tabu­
which was published in Venice in 1521. lae anatomicae, published posthumously in Venice in 1627
The anatomical drawings of Leonardo da Vinci (1453— with 97 copperplate engravings by Francesco Valesio after INTRODUCTION INTO THE "TREATISE”
1519), 228 hand-drawn plates of extraordinaiy scientific Odoardo Fialetti, a painter in Tintoretto’s circle; the plates in OF J. M. BOURGERYAND N. H. JACOB
quality, occupy a very marginal place, because they were this book also serve to illustrate the works of his successor in
never edited, and were ignored by the scholars of the day. Padua, Adrian van der Spieghel (c. 1578-1625). The work of Now that lithography allows us to publish, at relatively
Published for the first time in 1898, they had no impact on Govert Bidloo (1649-1713), Anatomia humani corporis, low cost, very extensive illustrated works, it would be a
the development of the subject. In 1543, the work by André published in Amsterdam in 1685, comprises 105 very ori­ service to physicians to make available to everybody all
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3
those works which have anatomy as their subject. How­ In 1827, at a6e °f °. Bourgeiy’s career took a deci­ expect anything anymore-, my name even fails to be quot­
ever, for a work of this kind to satisfy all its potential uses, sive turn when he decided to return to Paris. He finally ed in any of the modem books, although many of them
not only has the science to be presented in its most received his doctorate in medicine, for a thesis defended in are indebted to mine. I finish with this single statement:
advanced state, it also has to appear with all its applica­ Paris on 27 August 1827, on circular ligatures of the limbs. it is the cry of 20 years of oppression that escapes from me.
tions. Therefore, we must not slavishly copy a previous Two years later, in 1829, published a Traité de petite I might as well hold myself up as an example, so that any
work, as none exists to which new facts could not be chirurgie, a remarkable reference work, although not illus­ unwary person, in danger of being seduced, as I was, by
added; but, above all, it is essential for the plates ofsuch a trated, which had great success, as a second French edition an inconsiderate love for science, might escape this fate.
work, created with new intentions, to be drawn from was published in 1835, and it was translated into English (as At least they will learn from me that conscientious work
nature, whilst using as guides renowned figures amongst A treatise on lesser surgery or the minor surgical opera­ leads to nothing. Please forgive me for this complaint! It is
836
those that have been published to date. This is the task that tions) in 1834, and into German in i . the first; it will also be the last (vol. 8, p. III).
83
M. Jacob and myself have decided to accomplish. We will In i o, in collaboration with the illustrator N. H. Jacob, Bourgeiy died in Paris, at the early age of 52, in June
spare no effort to honourably complete the immense work Bourgeiy established the project for his Complete treatise of 1849, apparently a victim of a cholera epidemic. His life’s
that we have undertaken (Bourgeiy, vol. 1, pp. 1-2). human anatomy, which was to occupy him for more than work, the eight volumes of the Treatise, had just been com­
The above quotation, taken from the introduction writ­ 20 years, until his death. The first volumes were published in pleted, but it was only posthumously, in 1854, that the last
83 83
ten by Jean Marc Bourgeiy in October i o and published in i i. Following the success of these first volumes, in 1834— volume was published in its entirety.
83 832
the first volume of this work, published in i i-i , sums 1835 Bourgeiy and Jacob published an Anatomie élémen­ Until eponymous terms disappeared with the progres­
up the entire philosophy that informed the creation of the taire in large folio format with 20 lithographic plates and a sive introduction of the international anatomical nomen­
Complete treatise of human anatomy, including opera­ small separate text volume. The work went into a second edi­ clature, Bourgeiy’s name remained attached to several anat­
tive medicine, by Dr J. M. Bourgery, with lithographic tion (1836-1839) and was translated into German (1837). omical structures, in particular: Bourgeiy’s superior and
plates from nature byN. H. Jacob. The publication of the Complete treatise of human anat­ inferior semicircular bands, Bourgeiy’s ligament, Bourgeiy’s
In his work Les médecins de Paris jugés par leurs omy continued, but the labour remained considerable. An vulvar arteries, and Bourgeiy’s quadrilateral space.
œuvres, published in 1845, C. Sachaile de la Barre writes: English version of the first volumes, with texts translated by There are few known portraits of Bourgeiy. One of these,
833
...it was reserved to M. Bourgery not only to give the most Robert Willis, was published from i to 1837, confirming drawn from life by Maurin, was lithographed by Grégoire and
satisfactory answer to this question, but to astonish us the significance of the work accomplished thus far. Deneux and distributed by the editor Rosselin in Paris. It
by the perfection of the means employed to achieve this From 1840, Bourgeiy used personal observations to shows a bust of the young Bourgeiy; the ribbon attached to a
task. There is indeed nothing more beautiful than the write original scientific articles, mainly in the form of essays, buttonhole on the left lapel of his coat is in all probability the
plates which form the anatomical works to which prin­ published between 1842 and 1848 in the Comptes-Rendus insignia of a knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour
cipally his name is attached. The biographical note writ­ de l Académie des Sciences de Paris. These essays are often (ill. p. 6).
ten by E. Beaugrand in 1876 for the famous Dictionnaire illustrated by beautiful lithographic plates, and several of
encyclopédique des sciences médicales, published under them were also published as small individual reprints.
the direction of A. Dechambre, therefore justly describes Dr Bourgeiy was also associated with the creation of anat­ FROM THE PROJECT OFTHE "TREATISE” AS
J. M. Bourgeiy as the author of one of the most beautiful omical models from carton-pierre and pulpboard by Félix JUDGED BY GEORGES CUVIER TO THE COMPLETE
monuments to the science of the structure of the human Thibert, as witnessed by a presentation brochure: Musée WORK: AIABOUR OF 20 YEARS
body. Thibert d'anatomie pathologique et d’histoire naturelle
In Bourgeiy’s day, Paris was a city of reference for anato­ par la méthode plastique du Dr Félix Thibert... sous la About the origin of his Treatise, Bourgeiy recalled: a pro­
32
my. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Matthieu Orfila direction scientifique du Dr J. M. Bourgery, published in gramme written in 1829 (vol. 8, p. 1); at the time, he was
832
(1787-1853), appointed in i , undertook the complete Paris in 1847. These models, moulded in relief from nature years old. The projected outline was laid out in the introduc­
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renovation of the faculty and initiated the creation of a new and then painted, met with great success, as reflected in the tion of the first volume of the work, published in 1 1-1 ,
83
and remarkably rich anatomical museum, which was opened numerous pieces mentioned in the printed catalogues of not dated in the first edition, and dated October i o in the
in 1844. The numerous dissections performed in the Practi­ anatomical museums, in particular of that in Strasbourg, reprint of 1840. It was, from the start, veiy ambitious and
cal School attached to the faculty were enviously admired written by C. H. Ehrmann (1843), or of the Orfila Museum in aimed to be encyclopaedic, hence the choice of the first two
eveiywhere. Paris, written by M. Houel (1881). words of the title: Complete treatise.
The publication of the Complete treatise of human The extent of Bourgeiy’s work led him to apply for differ­ The detailed plan had been clearly announced in the
83
anatomy took place at a time when anatomy was at its ent university and academic posts and to enter different introduction of i o: When all of it has been published,
height, and in the introduction to his work Bourgeiy could competitions, but eveiy time without success. In particular the work will consist of eight volumes. The first five will
therefore write: Without anatomy, physiology is only a he presented himself as a candidate for the post of professor deal with descriptive anatomy-, the siocth and seventh will
tissue of more or less imaginative tales, surgery is without of anthropology at the Natural Histoiy Museum in Paris, for contain surgical anatomy and the surgical manual-, the
a guide, and medicine is reduced to blind empiricism membership of the Academy of Sciences in Paris in 1843, and eighth will cover general anatomy and philosophical
3
(vol. 1, p. 1). Throughout his work, Bourgeiy reasserts several for the chair of anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris in anatomy (vol.i, p. ).
3 83
times the primacy of anatomy amongst the medical special­ 1846; in this context he presented a thesis, defended on i In i o, Bourgeiy had submitted the manuscript of his
ities and in the evolution of scientific concepts. Februaiy, 1846, on the subject of the appendages of the foe­ introduction to the famous Georges Cuvier (1769-1832),
tus and their development. professor of natural histoiy at the Collège de France, profes­
Bourgeiy’s repeated failures as a candidate for university sor of comparative anatomy at the Natural Histoiy Museum
THE INITIATOR AND AUTHOR: and academic posts, despite the solid fame he had acquired, in Paris, Councillor of State, and founder of the science of the
JEAN MARC BOURGERY made him bitter; a certain exhaustion also seems to show comparative anatomy and palaeontology of vertebrates. After
through. The confession he made on this subject in the intro­ reading the manuscript of the introduction, Cuvier made
Jean Marc Bourgeiy, bom in Orléans on 8 Prairial year V of duction to the eighth and final volume of his Treatise, which comments which Bourgeiy only made public in the eighth
the revolutionaiy calendar (37 May, 1797), was the son of was published posthumously, is unique in the histoiy of volume of his work: The work that you undertake, he said
Marc Claude Bourgeiy, haberdasher, and Madeleine Marthe medical and scientific publishing, and particularly poignant: to me, is colossal, but it is not impossible. However, you
Delaboulaye; the birth took place at the family home at 1, rue And now, on the point of completing my work for which I have to know in advance, and believe my long experience,
du Tabourg, at eleven o’clock in the morning; present were possess all the material, coming close to achieving what I that this work will take you much further than you might
Jean Claude Vignolet, haberdasher, and Nicolas Bergerac, wanted to do, may the public recognize that I have not think, it will be your life’s work. However, as you have
second-hand clothes dealer. failed in my task, although fortune has cheated me out of conceived this plan and as you envisage it without fear,
Bourgeiy chose to study medicine. In 1815, he also the success a great man had predicted for me. Alas! Cuvi­ follow your instincts. The odds are in your favour. You
enrolled to attend the course of the famous naturalist Jean er judged the heart and intelligence of others by his own. have the firm resolution to do well; you are gifted with a
Baptiste de Lamarck (1744-1829), then professor at the But does everybody have the heart and mind of Cuvier! physical strength without which I would advise you
Museum of Natural Histoiy in Paris. Following the internship When I lost him, I lost everything. Instead of the happy against undertaking such a great work, and as a helper
competition, Bourgeiy was accepted as an intern at the Hos­ career that he saw smiling at me, what have I found? for the creation of your figures, you have had the luck of
pitals from 1817 to 1820, and in 1819 received the Gold Loathing, obstacles, intrigues, a hidden league of tena­ finding in M. Jacob an artist whose talent as an illustra­
Internship Medal. cious opposition. During the 2,0 years that I have worked tor is seminal in this field. You have the goal and the
At the end of his medical course, Bourgeiy did not take relentlessly, I do not have to blame myself for not helping means. Courage then! And keep right on without letting
his doctorate, apparently because of a lack of funds, and myself. I have done everything that was honourable to any obstacle stop you.
instead served as medical officer at the copper foundries in attain something. I have presented myself everywhere I Your plan seems good to me; I approve of it. It is rich
Romilly-sur-Seine (Aube department) for several years. could. But to no avail. I have seen everybody pass in front in applications of all kinds. But before applying, one
There he was involved in the establishment of a copper sul­ of me, both those who had some right, but particularly must look carefully and well. Devote yourself mainly to
phate factoiy. It was probably during this time that he con­ those who had none. Having so much to say about a sci­ the study of positive facts and get them drawn with great
ducted research into the colouring of wood: M. Bourgery has ence that I have worked on so much, it seemed to me that precision in such a way as to make their spirit come alive
again used his knowledge of organic chemistry to give there should be a place for me somewhere: but no. Acad­ and so that they can be found and recognized in nature
growing wood a colour different from what is natural: the emies, faculties, colleges of higher education, I have pre­ without effort...
experiments he has conducted on this subject have sented myself everywhere: everywhere there were always I am not at all concerned about what you can make
already produced beautiful results and give rise to great others who presented themselves. Two facts sum up every­ of the first five volumes of anatomy. Here the certain
hopes (Sachaile de la Barre, 1845). thing: today, after 20 years, I am nothing, and I do not facts, be they reproduced or original, but always well
8
32
observed, and well illustrated, can be placed on all cal preparations. He particularly devoted himself to the exact ), two models were contributed by Dr Patrix, and one
pages. This entirely depends on you... I believe that you study of aspects of morphology which were still neglected, model by Dr Meygrier.
will succeed. I should be very cautious about the two for reasons related to length of observation and methodo­ However, for the other branches of descriptive anatomy,
volumes of surgical anatomy, which do not fall into my logical difficulty: ...let us say that here, in anatomy, there for embiyology, and for comparative anatomy, the subjects of
field of competence... But from the general point of view are a multitude of subjects which nobody has studied the succeeding volumes, help was required. Amongst Bour­
of the science of organization, I have to admit that it in depth. All those which demand long and difficult geiy’s medical collaborators and anatomical preparators we
bothers me to see it embrace such a large, purely practical preparations belong to this category (vol. 5, p. 5). Bourgeiy should mention, in particular, Teissier, L. M. Hirschfeld, and
subject, and one which interrupts the scientific link also developed several methods and new approaches in order C. Bernard.
between descriptive anatomy and philosophical anato­ to solve various questions that had remained in abeyance;
my. But a much more serious drawback is that here your in his Treatise, he described them systematically and in Teissier
subject no longer belongs to you-, you are no longer its detail. For myology, or study of the muscles, Bourgeiy was helped
master. In anatomy, in the field of science, you were at At all times during his work Bourgeiy kept himself per­ by a temporaiy intern at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, called
home, on the solid ground of nature and truth, seeing for fectly informed about recent research, and in the eighth vol­ Teissier, to whom he pays tribute in the introduction to the
yourself, sure of your information, and free in your judge­ ume, he again wrote: To be sure, the knowledgeable public second volume, published in 1834. However, his name is not
ments. In surgery, in the field of practical art, you are in do not expect me to keep to a programme written in mentioned on any of the plates.
someone else's house, on the fickle platform of opinions 1829. My task is not to reproduce the state of science as it The identity of this collaborator remains to be estab­
and interests, floating on error, illusion, and fashion, was or as I understood it then, but as it is or as I under­ lished; he could have been Jean Paul Tessier (1811-1862),
often obliged to see only through the suspicious eyes of stand it today; and how much have all its aspects pupil of the famous surgeon and reformer of pathological
others, and without certainty how to distinguish truth changed over the last 20 years! (vol. 8, p. I). He undertook, anatomy, Guillaume Dupuytren (1777-1835), who defended
836
from lies. I know that authors are rarely free to do as they for the first time, numerous noteworthy syntheses, in partic­ his doctoral thesis in medicine in Paris in i .
like, and that these surgical illustrations have been ular on the anatomy of the nervous system and in embiyology
imposed on you; but if you cannot dispense with them, in and organogenesis. Ludwig Moritz Hirschfeld
3
my opinion it would be better perhaps to consign them to But the project that Bourgeiy aimed for was much more Ludwig Moritz Hirschfeld was born on April 1816 in
a separate book. than an encyclopaedic account of morphological observa­ Nadarzyn near Rawa in Poland. He was destined for theologi­
The last volume of your work, which you will have to tions. He stated: We hope to be able to show how knowledge cal studies, but according to the biographical note written by
derive completely from your own resources, and which, of the organism should serve as the basis for ethics, legis­ A. Dureau in 1888 in the famous Dictionnaire ency­
depending on how you understand it, could be very good lation, and political economy. His reflections encom­ clopédique des sciences médicales, published under the
or very bad, is the one which causes me most worry on passed all the sciences and philosophy: Science is criticized direction of A. Dechambre, Hirschfeld apparently escaped
your behalf... I regret that for this volume you have, in for being materialistic; this is a great mistake. This impu - from his father’s house, abandoning the study of the Tal­
your introduction, taken up commitments which are too tation... is only valid for the unintelligent opinion... of mud, walking on foot to Breslau, Berlin, then Paris, play­
detailed. You yourself do not know what you will do some of those called scholars. But science... can only lead ing the violin to earn his modest livelihood. Hirschfeld
836
then... You cannot know from the first day what will be to the first cause of all beings... on the contrary, it is sci­ arrived in Paris around i and was received by Bourgeiy,
your last word. Let the collaborative enterprise ripen over ence that provides the most positive arguments in favour of who employed him as preparator.
time: what you will have to say in the end will reveal the spiritual world... If the scholars lack all social inter­ As three volumes of the Treatise had already been pub­
itself of its own accord. Your subject is beautiful; do not ests, they have only themselves to blame: it is they who lished, Hirschfeld, often called M. Ludovic, was to be closely
spoil it... (vol. 8, pp. I—II). bury their science... The knowledgeable bodies who only associated with the anatomical preparations for the last two
83
Unfortunately, Cuvier, the patron, died in i ^, shortly judge the reality of physical facts regulate the world of volumes devoted to descriptive anatomy, which were still in
83
after the complete publication of the first volume (i i— material instincts without otherwise worrying about doc­ preparation: the fifth, dedicated to splanchnology (1839),
83
i ?) of Bourgeiy’s treatise, though not before he had pre­ trines; and, conversely, the men who have taken the path and the third, dedicated to neuroanatomy (1844). In total,
sented a eulogistic report to the Academy of Sciences in Paris of doctrine are only scholars by dint of the ideas they cre­ 44 plates of Bourgeiy’s treatise mention Hirschfeld, essen­
83
during the session of 12 March i ^. ate themselves... None of these want to accept the world as tially in the form of Prepared by Ludovic, which is excep­
The writing of the whole work was initially planned to be it has pleased the Creator to make it, and each remakes it tional among the 725 plates of Bourgeiy’s Treatise, for most
3
completed within five years, by 1835. In fact, Bourgeiy according to his own fancy... (vol. , pp. 33-34) • of which no preparators name is indicated.
required 20 years to complete his Treatise, which he did, Bourgeiy’s scientific approach and intellectual develop­ In the fifth volume, twelve of the 96 plates are identified
miraculously, just before his premature death in June 1849, at ment had all the character of a metaphysical quest: Deprived as corresponding to anatomical preparations by Hirschfeld,
3
the age of 52. In the advertisement for the eighth and final vol­ of a guide in this philosophical survey, where books could representing in total i out of 249 figures (plates 14-4, 24
ume, he wrote: After a long interruption, imposed by force not help me, I had to fill in by drawing on my personal bis, 35 ter, 41,48,57,58,61,62,70,73, and 76); all cariy the
majeure, I take this work up again in order to complete it. inspirations... But, even when I had hardly begun to simple caption: Prepared by Ludovic.
During the bitter and unrewarding scientific career I have explore the pathways of the organism, I did not hesitate In the third volume, 25 out of 114 plates are identified as
pursued over the past 20 years, the thought of this last vol - to recognize that from all quarters they lose themselves in corresponding to anatomical preparations by Hirschfeld,
368 3
ume never left me; this means that year after year it has the metaphysical. As the traveller who crosses unknown representing in total 93 out of figures (plates 10,11, o
,36 36 38,38 83
seen, in my mind, numerous modifications... (vol. 8, p. I). regions suddenly finds himself stopped by bottomless to 34 bis, ter, bis, 42, 43, 81, 81 bis, , 86, 89
Bourgeiy’s monumental work required a titanic effort; abysses or inaccessible cliffs which force him to retrace bis to 92,95,99, and 100); 24 cariy the caption: Prepared by
he was the master builder at all times, writing texts, carrying his steps, at every step I faced questions which attracted Ludovic, and one the caption: Prepared by Ludovic
out remarkable syntheses, and supervising all details. The me in the most powerful way, but were sufficiently deep Hirschfeld (plate 100).
initial plan was respected and methodically executed and the and obscure to give me vertigo... When I thought I could Finally, in the eighth and final volume, seven out of 67
course was steadfastly maintained. The unusual traits of catch sight of something, I said so; otherwise I have plates are identified as corresponding to anatomical prepa­
Bourgeiy’s character show through across the result of these passed over it, without feeling obliged to find a meaning rations by Hirschfeld, representing in total 18 out of 658 fig­
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20 years’ work; he had an unshakable belief in his project, for something our weak minds cannot reach (vol. , p. 2). ures (plates 11, i , 14, 14 bis, 14 ter, 15, and 16); four carry
somehow feeling he was invested with a mission, and he was Taking up a philosophical thought of Joseph de Maistre the caption: Prepared by Ludovic, one the caption: Prepared
concerned about scientific honesty, accuracy of ideas, and (1753-1821). Bourgeiy also wrote: All science, said de by Dr Ludovic (plate 14), and two the complete mention of
perfection. Maistre, begins with a mystery. To complete the idea of the name with spelling errors: Prepared by Ludovic Heilfeld
Unusually, Bourgeiy’s work was conducted outside the this great thinker, one would have to say-, all science (plate 14 bis), and Prep, by Ludovic Heifield (plate 14 ter).
university and academic structures. In addition to Cuvier’s begins and ends with a mystery, or rather is nothing but a In 1840, Hirschfeld was also demonstrator in the free
support, which we have already mentioned, Bourgeiy, who mystery... The notion which seems clearest to us is only a anatomy courses at the Practical School attached to the Fac­
3 33
worked in relatively solitaiy fashion, also mentions the help shimmer of light between two abysses... (vol. , p. ). ulty of Medicine in Paris. Several of Hirschfeld’s anatomical
of several other well-known scientists, ...and their influ­ preparations, in particular those of intestinal vascular injec­
ence to obtain for us the books, items, or different scien­ tions and the comparative anatomy of the nervous system,
tific objects which we needed to consult (vol. 2, p. II), in MEDICAL COLLABORATORS AND were acquired by the anatomy museum of the Faculty of Med­
particular Constant André Marie Duméril (1774-1860), Eti­ ANATOMICAL PREPARATORS icine and were reviewed by M. Houel in his Catalogue of
32
enne Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire (1772-1844), François Magen­ the Orfila Museum (Paris, 1881). In 1848, at the age of ,
die (1783-1855), Henri Ducrotay de Blainville (1777-1850), The numerous dissections and original anatomical prepara­ Hirschfeld defended his doctoral thesis in medicine in Paris,
83
and Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853), from i ? Dean of the Fac­ tions required for the composition of his Treatise forced entitled Des injections capillaires. Bourgeiy, his master
ulty of Medicine in Paris. Bourgeiy to team up with collaborators who would help him and patron, died one year later.
with these tasks. The study of osteology and arthrology does In 1853, on the strength of his experience acquired dur­
not seem to have required any particular help, as the possi­ ing his anatomical preparations for the fourth volume of
BOURGERTS SCIENTIFIC AND bilities of observing the different bones that make up the Bourgeiy’s treatise, dedicated to neuroanatomy, published
PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH skeleton were truly numerous and easy. For the dissected nearly ten years earlier in 1844, Hirschfeld published the
3
skull shown on plate o, whose execution was more complex, work Névrologie ou description et iconographie du sys­
For his Treatise, Bourgeiy was not satisfied with a simple the text of the legend mentions: Prepared by M. Morand, tème nerveux et des organes des sens de l’homme, which is
compilation. He personally conducted meticulous observa­ dentist, and kept in his cabinet. For the two examples of illustrated with 92 superb coloured lithographic plates by
3 38
tions, based on numerous dissections and original anatomi­ female pelvises with pathological deformities (plates i and J. B. Léveillé (ills. pp. 37, ,49), who had already collaborat-
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