Petrus Forestus
Encyclopedia
Pieter van Foreest, also called Petrus Forestus (Alkmaar
, 1521 – Alkmaar, 1597), was one of the most prominent physicians of the Dutch Republic
. He was known as the "Hollandic Hippocrates
".
. Around 1536 he started studying at the University of Leuven. In 1540 he began a so-called peregrinatio Academica, an educational journey in which he visited several European universities in order to acquire detailed knowledge of medicine. He stayed three years in Bologna
, from which he also worked in Padua
, Venice
, and Ferrara
. On 29 November 1543 he graduated at the University of Bologna
. Then he worked for some time in Rome
and Paris
. In 1546 he returned to Alkmaar, where he opened a medical practice. He married in 1546 with Eva van Teijlingen (1525 – 1595).
In 1558 Forestus was appointed to the post of city physician of Delft
, a function he performed for over 37 years. In August 1574, during the siege of Leiden
, Forestus was consulted by prince William of Orange
, who lay ill in bed at Delfshaven
. Since then Forestus was repeatedly consulted by members of the princely family when they were afflicted by disease.
Forestus was invited by the Curators of the newly founded Leiden University
to attend the opening ceremony on February 8, 1575. He participated in the festive procession as "doctor and professor of medicine" and stayed in Leiden until February 12 in order to sign the Statute
s of the new university
. After that he returned to Delft. He preferred his medical practice, and decided not to take up an academic position.
After the assassination of Prince William of Orange
on July 10, 1584, Forestus conducted the autopsy
and embalming
together with his colleague from Delft, Cornelius Busennius. They made an extensive report of the autopsy to the States of Holland
.
Petrus Forestus died on 10 March 1597. He has over 75 years old. His remains were buried in the Great or St. Lawrence Church
in Alkmaar on March 13, 1597. The last line on his tombstone reads: Hippocrates batavus si fuit ille fuit (If ever there was a Hollandic Hippocrates, it was this man).
, charlatans, and the unauthorized practice of medicine. Part of a preserved unpublished manuscript was titled: Vander Empiriken, Landloeperen ende Valscher Medicynsbedroch (On charlatans, frauds, and the trickery and deceit with false medicine). He had written this manuscript on behalf of simple people, who were often the target of such frauds and deceptions. In 1584 he managed to convince the Delft magistrate
s to place rules and restrictions on the practice of medicine.
During his practice years in Alkmaar, Forestus began to take notes on the maladies of his patients, and how he treated them. Later he arranged the data and eventually collected over 1350 Observationes with appropriate Scholia. The Observationes were more than the literal meaning "things seen" indicates. They were very personal perceptions of patients and diseases. They form the basis for subsequent Scholia, which can be regarded as the academic treatises of a doctor medicinae who had studied at the most renowned Italian universities. This data was initially dedicated as a separate monograph
to personal acquaintances such as Prince Maurice of Orange, and city governments, like those of Alkmaar, Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam
and Enkhuizen
. In 1609 all monographs and the treatise on urinalysis were bundled and published in Frankfurt as the Opera Omnia. numerous reprints followed.
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Noord Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination.-History:...
, 1521 – Alkmaar, 1597), was one of the most prominent physicians of the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
. He was known as the "Hollandic Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
".
Life
Petrus Forestus was the son of Jorden van Foreest and Margriet, daughter of Nanning Beyers. He received his early schooling at the Alkmaar Latin SchoolLatin School
Latin School may refer to:* Latin schools of Medieval Europe* These schools in the United States:** Boston Latin School, Boston, MA** Brooklyn Latin School, New York, NY** Brother Joseph C. Fox Latin School, Long Island, NY...
. Around 1536 he started studying at the University of Leuven. In 1540 he began a so-called peregrinatio Academica, an educational journey in which he visited several European universities in order to acquire detailed knowledge of medicine. He stayed three years in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, from which he also worked in Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, and Ferrara
Ferrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
. On 29 November 1543 he graduated at the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
. Then he worked for some time in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In 1546 he returned to Alkmaar, where he opened a medical practice. He married in 1546 with Eva van Teijlingen (1525 – 1595).
In 1558 Forestus was appointed to the post of city physician of Delft
Delft
Delft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland , the Netherlands. It is located between Rotterdam and The Hague....
, a function he performed for over 37 years. In August 1574, during the siege of Leiden
Siege of Leiden
The Siege of Leiden occurred during the Eighty Years' War in 1573 and 1574, when the Spanish attempted to capture the rebellious city of Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands, and ultimately failed.-Background:...
, Forestus was consulted by prince William of Orange
William the Silent
William I, Prince of Orange , also widely known as William the Silent , or simply William of Orange , was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Years' War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. He was born in the House of...
, who lay ill in bed at Delfshaven
Delfshaven
Delfshaven is a borough of Rotterdam on the right bank of river Nieuwe Maas, in South Holland, the Netherlands. It was a separate municipality until 1886.The town of Delfshaven grew around the port of the city of Delft...
. Since then Forestus was repeatedly consulted by members of the princely family when they were afflicted by disease.
Forestus was invited by the Curators of the newly founded Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
to attend the opening ceremony on February 8, 1575. He participated in the festive procession as "doctor and professor of medicine" and stayed in Leiden until February 12 in order to sign the Statute
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
s of the new university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. After that he returned to Delft. He preferred his medical practice, and decided not to take up an academic position.
After the assassination of Prince William of Orange
William the Silent
William I, Prince of Orange , also widely known as William the Silent , or simply William of Orange , was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Years' War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. He was born in the House of...
on July 10, 1584, Forestus conducted the autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
and embalming
Embalming
Embalming, in most modern cultures, is the art and science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition and to make them suitable for public display at a funeral. The three goals of embalming are thus sanitization, presentation and preservation of a corpse to achieve this...
together with his colleague from Delft, Cornelius Busennius. They made an extensive report of the autopsy to the States of Holland
States of Holland
The States of Holland and West Frisia were the representation of the two Estates to the court of the Count of Holland...
.
Petrus Forestus died on 10 March 1597. He has over 75 years old. His remains were buried in the Great or St. Lawrence Church
Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (Alkmaar)
Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk is a landmark Protestant church in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. The building is located on the Koorstraat, named for its choir...
in Alkmaar on March 13, 1597. The last line on his tombstone reads: Hippocrates batavus si fuit ille fuit (If ever there was a Hollandic Hippocrates, it was this man).
Works
Forestus had a deep aversion to quacksQuackery
Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or...
, charlatans, and the unauthorized practice of medicine. Part of a preserved unpublished manuscript was titled: Vander Empiriken, Landloeperen ende Valscher Medicynsbedroch (On charlatans, frauds, and the trickery and deceit with false medicine). He had written this manuscript on behalf of simple people, who were often the target of such frauds and deceptions. In 1584 he managed to convince the Delft magistrate
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
s to place rules and restrictions on the practice of medicine.
During his practice years in Alkmaar, Forestus began to take notes on the maladies of his patients, and how he treated them. Later he arranged the data and eventually collected over 1350 Observationes with appropriate Scholia. The Observationes were more than the literal meaning "things seen" indicates. They were very personal perceptions of patients and diseases. They form the basis for subsequent Scholia, which can be regarded as the academic treatises of a doctor medicinae who had studied at the most renowned Italian universities. This data was initially dedicated as a separate monograph
Monograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
to personal acquaintances such as Prince Maurice of Orange, and city governments, like those of Alkmaar, Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland and the region of West-Frisia.Enkhuizen was one of the harbour-towns of the VOC, just like Hoorn and Amsterdam, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355...
. In 1609 all monographs and the treatise on urinalysis were bundled and published in Frankfurt as the Opera Omnia. numerous reprints followed.