Fortunato of Brescia
Encyclopedia
Fortunato of Brescia was an Italian Minorite of the Reform of Lombardy and anatomist.
, and received the religious habit in 1718. A philosopher and theologian, Fortunato was also renowned for his studies in the natural sciences. He was secretary general of his order, and stood in high favour at the Bourbon court of Spain. He died in Madrid
.
, in which he followed the lead of Malpighi. Avoiding the then prevalent discussions on vitalism
, he devoted himself to a positive study of the problems of natural science.
Convinced that a knowledge of microscopic anatomy is the key to the secrets of nature, he deemed two things to be of prime importance:
This view, clear in the works of Fortunato, has prevailed in pathology and physiology. and in this sense Fortunato was a pioneer. He confined himself to the microscopic study of the parts of the organism, and in this way succeeded in classifying tissues
and organs many years before Bichat (1800). Fortunato was the first to distinguish between tissues and organs.
He established the idea of tissues, or, as he wrote, "of those organic parts which possess a definite structure visible with the microscope and characterized by their component elements". With sufficient accuracy he described connective and bony tissue. The morphological complexus of the various tissues he calls the "system of tissues"; and the physiological complexus of the various organs he calls the "system of organs".
From his many accurate descriptions, it is evident that his researches extended to many animals, and particularly to insect
s. He innovated in comparative anatomy, with ideas not found in Malpighi, Morgagni
, Leeuwenhoek, or Haller
, the path-finders in microscopic anatomy.
Life
He was born at BresciaBrescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
, and received the religious habit in 1718. A philosopher and theologian, Fortunato was also renowned for his studies in the natural sciences. He was secretary general of his order, and stood in high favour at the Bourbon court of Spain. He died in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
.
Works
He was among the first to bring together the teachings of Scholastic philosophy and the discoveries of the physical sciences. His scientific work is rendered important by his extensive use of the microscopeMicroscope
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
, in which he followed the lead of Malpighi. Avoiding the then prevalent discussions on vitalism
Vitalism
Vitalism, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is#a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from biochemical reactions...
, he devoted himself to a positive study of the problems of natural science.
Convinced that a knowledge of microscopic anatomy is the key to the secrets of nature, he deemed two things to be of prime importance:
- an experimental study of the histological constitution of the various organsOrgan (anatomy)In biology, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in structural unit to serve a common function. Usually there is a main tissue and sporadic tissues . The main tissue is the one that is unique for the specific organ. For example, main tissue in the heart is the myocardium, while sporadic are...
, to learn their functions; and - the separation of these organs into their elements, to determine their embryological origin.
This view, clear in the works of Fortunato, has prevailed in pathology and physiology. and in this sense Fortunato was a pioneer. He confined himself to the microscopic study of the parts of the organism, and in this way succeeded in classifying tissues
Tissue (biology)
Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. These are called tissues because of their identical functioning...
and organs many years before Bichat (1800). Fortunato was the first to distinguish between tissues and organs.
He established the idea of tissues, or, as he wrote, "of those organic parts which possess a definite structure visible with the microscope and characterized by their component elements". With sufficient accuracy he described connective and bony tissue. The morphological complexus of the various tissues he calls the "system of tissues"; and the physiological complexus of the various organs he calls the "system of organs".
From his many accurate descriptions, it is evident that his researches extended to many animals, and particularly to insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s. He innovated in comparative anatomy, with ideas not found in Malpighi, Morgagni
Morgagni
Morgagni can refer to:*Giovanni Battista Morgagni, an Italian anatomist.**Morgagni's hernia**Foramina of Morgagni**Hydatid of Morgagni...
, Leeuwenhoek, or Haller
Haller
Haller is a surname of English and German origin. It is the last name of:* Albin Haller, French chemist* Albrecht von Haller, Swiss anatomist and physiologist* Berthold Haller, Swiss educator, preacher and church reformer* Frank Haller, American boxer...
, the path-finders in microscopic anatomy.