178 THE MINUTE ANATOMISTS 



was hard at work till noon, in full sunlight, and bare- 

 headed, so as not to obstruct the light, and his head 

 streamed with profuse sweat. His eyes, by reason of 

 the blaze of light, became so weakened that he could not 

 observe minute objects in the afternoon, for his eyes 

 were weary." 



Boerhaave describes from Swammerdam's papers his 

 methods of work. The dissecting table was of brass, 

 and had two arms, which could be turned in any 

 direction ; one arm carried the object, and the other the 

 lens. Swammerdam's lenses were of various sizes and 

 powers. His skill in the use of forceps and scalpel was 

 surprising. Some of his tools were so minute that he 

 had to whet them under a magnifying glass. He was 

 skilful in injection and inflation. Swammerdam knew 

 how to render anatomical preparations transparent by 

 balsam, so that the course of the vessels could be traced 

 without dissection ; it was considered an important 

 advantage that the parts remained soft and flexible. 

 The tissues, which were often of considerable bulk, were 

 first soaked in turpentine, for months if necessary. 

 After long soaking in turpentine, balsam or mastic was 

 added. A moderate heat was sometimes employed.^ 



In 1673 Swammerdam came under the influence of 

 Antonia Bourignon, who is commonly described as a 

 religious fanatic, and who was bitterly persecuted as 

 such by the Dutch and Danish Lutherans. Swammerdam 

 was henceforth guided by her advice, and to some extent 

 shared her sufferings. At one time he thought of selling 

 all his insects and preparations, and retiring upon what- 

 ever income they would yield. But no purchaser could 

 be found. The duke of Tuscany was approached through 



^An account of Swammerdam's method is to be found at the end of 

 Schrader's Observationes et Historice, 12mo., Amst. 1674. 



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