10 I^- J- Cuiminghaiïi, 



tude, she has maintained her own as a centre of anatomical thought 

 and training. The Professor at present in the Chair of Anatomy is 

 Luigi Calori. 



But 1 cannot pass on to describe the Octo-Centenary Celebration 

 without referring to the work of Galvani, and also alluding to the 

 encouragement which appears to have been given to women in Bologna 

 to engage in anatomical pursuits. 



Galvani is a name upon which the University authorities and the 

 City of Bologna appear to dwell with the greatest pride and affection, 

 and well may they do so. During his life they treated him scanda- 

 lously *). Everyone has heard of his brilliant discoveries in the domain 

 of animal electricity, and the part which Madame Galvani, and the 

 frogs she was preparin<:ç for dinner, had in these. In the Rector's 

 Room in the University there is a striking oil-painting, in which 

 Galvani, his wife, and the immortal frog, are depicted. 



It has been asserted that women have filled the anatomical chair 

 in Bologna. Certainly both in early times and at present the higher 

 education of women appears to have received every encouragement. 

 Thus, it is related that, in the fourteenth century, Novella Calderini 

 or D'Andrea acted as her father's substitute, and delivered lectures on 

 Jurisprudence , when , through illness or other causes , he could not 

 fulfil his duties. It is further told, that in case her beauty would 

 distract the attention of the students, she lectured behind a curtain. 

 Then there was Properzia de Rossi;, who acquired fame as a sculptress; 

 Laura Bassi, in the eighteenth century ^, who is said to have lectured 

 on Philosophy; and Anna dalle Donne, about the beginning of the 

 nineteenth century, a famous physician and obstetrician. But further, 

 at this moment a lady lectures on the Sclavonic languages, having 

 received her appointment directly from the Crown. 



In anatomy, although the names of several women are mentioned, 

 it does not appear that any one ever attained the dignity of being 



^) Galvani had acquired note as an anatomist before he made his electrical dis- 

 coveries. He acted as Lecturer on Anatomy in the Institute of Bologna. Having 

 refused to take the civic oath of allegiance to the Cisalpine Republic, "he was bar- 

 barously deprived of all his offices and dignities," and reduced to poverty. He died 



in 1798. 



