MARCUS AURELIUS SEVERINUS AND HIS ATTEMPT TO REFORM THE SURGERY
MARCUS AURELIUS SEVERINUS AND HIS ATTEMPT TO REFORM THE SURGERY

Summary/Abstract: This paper will analize the attempt of a 17th century Italian surgeon and anatomist Marcus Aurelius Severinus (1580-1656) to reform operative surgical procedures. His contribution to surgery was twofold: both on a methodological and technical level. Severinus was one of the first physicians to theorize and practice an active surgery he called “del medicar crudo” (“to medicate crudely”). He performed the newest surgical techniques, and professed a concept of an early intervening surgery, when the pathological process didn’t show signs of spontaneous resolution. Subsequently, he showed boldness in his surgical practice, as reported in some extracts of his works “De recondita abscessum natura” and “De efficaci Medicina”. However, Severinus’ efforts weren’t met with support from medical community. At that time, surgeons were more careful to avoid pain and further risks to the patients, and they preferred to wait, rather then to attempt a premature surgical approach. However, Severinus was vindicated about 250 years later, when the discovery of anesthesia and infectious prophylaxis allowed for elevation of surgery to a scientific status, as well as application of his principles.

• Details
• Contents