ANDREAS VESALIUS-A.D. 1514 to 1564 101 



Although the illustrations in the Fahrica are of surpassing 

 quality and ingenuity, the road to their completion was con- 

 fronted with many an obstacle. His artist, according to Vesalius' 

 own words was so obstinate at times that he felt exasperated and 

 tormented. Calcar may have complained about having to draw 

 from skinned and foul smelling bodies; it was impossible to keep 

 them for any length of time, because antiseptic injections and pre- 

 serving fluids were unknown. Vesalius certainly complained of 

 the huge sums it was necessary to pay to keep his artistic project 

 alive. For many years, it was assumed that Titian was the artist 

 in question rather than Calcar, his favorite pupil, but this has been 

 settled in favor of the latter. The most satisfactory plates in the 

 book are those which portray the undissected body, the deeper 

 bones and muscles. 



It was the Fahrica, with its dissections and plates, which made 

 the reputation of Vesalius. Six hundred fifty-nine folio pages 

 long, in the form of seven books, it was dedicated to Charles V. 

 The text is lucid and yet succinct and it rectified many anatomical 

 errors made by Galen and others. It touches very slightly on an- 

 thropology, more so on physiology which is correlated with ana- 

 tomical description. The osseous system, as a whole, is described 

 correctly for the first time. That part on muscles and ligaments 

 is superior to anything previously done, but does not match the 

 standards of the book on bones. The superficial muscles are 

 beautifully illustrated and those in the deep group show anatom- 

 ical accuracy. He described the arteries and veins adequately but 

 interpreted their physiology in terms of ancient theory; the ar- 

 teries were the carriers of vital spirits, whereas the veins were 

 the true blood vessels; he also stated that the heart was filled with 

 numerous foramina. 



Considering the period, Vesalius' work on the nervous sys- 

 tem was surpassing and elaborately minute. In his other books, 

 admirable accounts are given of the organs of nutrition and the 

 respiratory system. 



In general, the Fahrica, was remarkably free from errors 

 rhich, though present, were completely overshadowed by its bril- 

 iance. Vesalius was successful in laying the foundations of our 

 ;urrent knowledge and in overthrowing the idol of authority. 



