De microscopische anatomie in Bidloo’s Anatomia humani Corporis (1685)

Microsopical anatomy in Bidloo's "Anatomia humani corporis" (1685) In historiography Goverd Bidloo's Anatomia humani corporis (Amsterdam, 1685) is especially famous in connection with a case of alleged plagiarism by William Cowper. This anatomical atlas is also renowned as the first in which the microscopical anatomy of some organs was included. Some of these illustrations, however, have been severely criticized by historians of science, who pointed out that the illustrations are based on Malpighi's descriptions of microscopical structures rather than on personal observation  The purpose of this article is to investigate the truth of these criticisms. A survey of Bidloo's microscopical illustrations against the background of contemporary literature (Table I and II) revealed that Bidloo's microscopical anatomy is largely limited to organs on which recent anatomical studies were available. As this does not imply that Bidloo's illustrations are executed merely on the basis of descriptions I have analysed five illustrations and their correspondent legends in some detail, to wit stomach, kidney, lung, spleen and brain. On the basis of this analysis Bidloo's illustrations may be grouped into three categories: I slighty magnified, illustration conform legend; II slightly magnified, legend indicates details which are not discernable on the illustration; III. not based on microscopical evidence, the illustration either lacks any detail indicated in the legend or is constructed on the basis of a description (by Malpighi). The illustrations in the first two categories are clearly the result of Bidloo's own microscopical observations. As these two categories comprise 90% of all illustrations the conclusion must be that earlier criticisms were correct in a few instances, but should not extend to Bidloo's microscopical anatomy as a whole.

Maria Rooseboom (1909–1978)

Maria Rooseboom (1909–1978

Jan Swammerdam en de 17e eeuwse microscopie

Jan Swammerdam and seventeenth century microscopy The first heyday of microscopical research brought forth the classical work of Hooke, Malpighi, Grew, Swammerdam and Van Leeuwenhoek. Swammerdam's contribution to this field is assessed by considering his work from four angles, viz. the revolution of the microscope, microscopical technique, microscopical research in the seventeenth century and the scientific atmosphere of the time. Throughout the work of the five classical microscopists three common denominators can be traced, viz. mechanical philosophy, painstaking observation and admiration for the works of God. Swammerdam's undoubtable enrichment of microscopy was the result of his skill in preparing his objects and the limited, but purposeful, scope of his research

Hoofdlijnen van de microscopie in de negentiende eeuw

Outlines of 19th century microscopy This special issue deals with the history of medical microscopy in the Netherlands during the 19lh century. As an introduction to this topic, some outlines for the general reader are indicated, i.e. the technical development i.e. the microscope, the general theories on cells and tissues, the case of bacteriology and the role of Pieter Harting

Spierkracht en mechanische gymnastiek

Wantin

Inleiding: Instrumentgerichte wetenschapsgeschiedenis in de praktijk. Een zonnemicroscoop van Kleman

Instrument-oriented history of science in practice. A solar microscope by Kleman A solar microscope made by the Amsterdam instrumentmaker Jan Marten Kleman in 1796 is described. This particular instrument has several interesting features, such as the unusual construction of the opake projector and an additional microscope tube which was designed to be used with artificial light for either the examination or projection of opake objects. Comparison with another solar microscope by Kleman from the Wellcome Collection in the Science Museum (London) indicates that Kleman was partial to the production of versatile instruments. Thus the various pieces of his solar microscopes, supplemented with a few auxiliary parts, could also be assembled to serve as a microscope. This study of Kleman's solar microscopes serves as a steppingstone to a discussion of various aspects of instrument-oriented history of science. This particular approach to the history of science has focussed mainly on individual instruments, their makers, the trade in instruments, collectors and collections of scientific instruments and the evolution of specific kinds of instruments. A comprehensive analysis of the role of instruments in scientific enquiry, which would supplement current history of science, has yet to be undertaken