, a surgeon of eminence, was born at Ghent in Flanders in 1649;
, a surgeon of eminence, was born at
Ghent in Flanders in 1649; and, being made anatomist
and reader in surgery in that city, was much distinguished
by his lectures as well as practice, and wrote upon several
subjects with learning and judgment. He died at Ghent,
about eighty years old, in 1730. He paid various visits
to London, Paris, and Leyden, where he formed an acquaintance with the most eminent surgeons of his time,
profited by their discoveries, and was himself the inventor
of some instruments. His first publication was a “System
of Osteology,
” in Flemish, which he afterwards translated
into French, and which was often reprinted. In 1708, he
published his “Description Anatomique des Parties de la
Femme qui servent a la Generation,
” together with Licetus’ treatise on monsters, and a description of one born
at Ghent in 1703. In 1710, he printed his “Anatomic
Chirurgicale, ou description exacte des Parties du Corps
humain, avec des remarques miles aux Chirurgiens dans
la pratique de leur art,
” in French; and in 1718, reprinted it in Flemish. It was regarded as a valuable work,
and was republished after his death, in France, Italy, and
Germany. Palfin also translated the treatise of Anthony
Petit on “Diseases of the Eyes,
” into Flemish, adding
several other tracts on the same subject.
nduct, was a native of Switzerland, but, on coming over to England, was placed by some friends under a surgeon of eminence, in which profession he became skilful.
, an anatomist, well
known in this country on account of the imposture of the
Rabbit-woman, and for various eccentricities of conduct,
was a native of Switzerland, but, on coming over to England, was placed by some friends under a surgeon of eminence, in which profession he became skilful. He, for a
time, read public lectures on anatomy, and obtained considerable reputation; which was ruined by the part he took
in the affair of Mary Tofts, as well as by many other irregularities of character. He died in 1776, after having
been for many years the subject of more curiosity and conversation than any of his contemporaries, though without
any extraordinary talents, or claims to distinction. They
who are curious to know more of his character may have
their curiosity gratified in the “Anecdotes of Hogarth
” by
Nichols.