Heister, Lorenz

Lorenz Heister (or Laurentius Heister in his Latin works), a prominent German surgeon, Professor of Anatomy and Surgery at the University of Altdorf, Germany, left a lasting legacy through several outstanding achievements.

Heister made significant contributions to surgical practice. He introduced the use of spinal braces and pioneered the technique of tracheotomy, which has saved countless lives by providing a means to access and secure the airway, invented a term "tracheotomy".

He conducted the first post-mortem examination of appendicitis, contributing to our understanding of this condition, its symptoms, and potential treatments. This groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on the diagnosis and management of appendicitis.

Heister authored several influential books on anatomy, surgery, and medicine. His comprehensive works were translated into numerous languages, including Latin and Japanese, and served as standard references for generations of surgeons and physicians across Western Europe. These texts played a pivotal role in medical education and practice during his time.

Heister's impact extended beyond his writings. He served as a dedicated educator, teaching anatomy and surgery to numerous students during his tenure at various universities. His commitment to teaching and mentorship helped shape the future of medicine by training a new generation of skilled surgeons and physicians.

Heister's extensive anatomical studies and dissections significantly contributed to the body of knowledge in anatomy and medicine. His meticulous observations and documentation advanced our understanding of the human body's structure and function.

Heister's vast collection included a library of over 12,000 volumes, a herbarium spanning 90 volumes, and 470 surgical instruments, many crafted from silver.

Short Biography of Lorenz Heister

Lorenz Heister, born to a lumber merchant, evolved into a notable figure in the field of medicine during the 18th century. His educational journey began at Frankfurt Gymnasium, supplemented with private lessons in languages. In 1702-1703, he studied at the University of Giessen, where he conducted his initial dissection of a male corpse. Later, he moved to the University of Wetzlar, completing his comprehensive medical education in 1706.

Subsequently, he continued his academic pursuits in Leiden and Amsterdam, where he immersed himself in botany and anatomy studies. Notably, Amsterdam was a hub for exotic plant research and practical anatomy.

In 1707, Heister served as an assistant physician during the War of the Spanish Succession, gaining valuable surgical experience. He furthered his studies in Leiden, learning from renowned scholars such as Bernard Albinus and Hermann Boerhaave. He obtained his M.D. from the University of Harderwijk in 1708.

Returning to Amsterdam, Heister provided anatomy lessons with cadaver demonstrations, catering to French and German-speaking students separately. He also served as a field surgeon during various military campaigns.

In 1711, he was appointed a professor of anatomy and surgery at the University of Altdorf, and later, in 1720, at Helmstädt. His teaching roles encompassed theoretical medicine, botany, and practical medicine, leaving a profound impact on his students.

Notably, Heister authored several influential books on anatomy, surgery, and medicine, which were translated into numerous languages, including English, French, Russian and Japanese. His work significantly contributed to the education of surgeons and physicians across Western Europe.

Bibliography

• Dissertatio inauguralis de tunica choridea oculi. Doctoral dissertation; Harderwijk, 1708.
• Oratio inauguralis de hypothesium medicarum fallacia et pernice. Inaugural lecture as professor of anatomy and surgery. Altdorf, 1710.
• De cataracta, glaucomate et amaurosi tractatio in qua multae novae opiniones & inventa contra vulgatas medicorum, chirurgorum, philosophorum nec non mathematicorum sententias continentur. Altdorf, J. G. Kohles, 1713. 368 pages. 2nd edition in Altdorf, 1720.
• Apologia et uberior illustratio systematis sui de cataracta glaucomati et amaurosi contra Wolhusi ocularii parisiensis cavillationes & objectiones itemque Parisiensis eruditorum diarii iniquam censuram. Altdorf, J. G. Kohles, 1717.
• Compendium anatomicum, veterum recentiorumque observationes brevissime complectens etc. Altdorf, 1717; 1719; 1727; 1732; Venice, 1730; Amsterdam, 1730. Translated into English, French, Dutch and Italian.
• Chirurgie, in welcher alles was zur Wund Artzney gehöret, nach der neuesten und besten Art, gründlich abgehandelt wird. Nuremberg, 1718; 1724; 1731; 1745; 1747; 1770.
  Latin edition: Institutiones chirurgicae. Leyden, 1739; Amsterdam. Later Latin edition: Institutiones chirurgicae, in quibus quidquid ad rem chirurgicam pertinet, optima et novissima ratione pertractatur. . . . Opus quadraginta fere annorum, nunc demum, post aliquot editiones germanica lingua evulgatas, in exterorum gratiam latine altera vice longe auctius atque emendatius publicatum.
  Amsterdam: Jansson-Waesberge, 1750.
  English edition: A general system of surgery in three parts. 2 volumes in 1. London, W. Innys, 1743.
  Italian edition: Instituzioni chirurgiche. 2 volumes. Venice: Presso Francesco Pitteri, 1765.
  Also translated into Dutch, French, Spanish, and Japanese.
  New and improved German edition: 
  Dr. Lorenz Heisters Chirurgie in welcher alles, was zur Wundarzney gehöret, nach der neuesten und besten Art, gründlich abgehandelt, und in acht und dreyßig Kupfertafeln die neuerfundene und dienstlichste Instrumente, nebst den bequemsten Handgriffen der chirurgischen Operationen und Bandagen deutlich vorgestellet werden. Nürnberg : bey Gabriel Nicolaus Raspe, 1763
• Vindiciae sententiae suae de cataracta glaucomate et amaurosi adversus ultimas anidmadversiones atque objectiones etc. Altdorf, 1719.
• Oratio de incrementis anatomiae in hoc seculo XVIII habita. Inaugural lecture as professor of anatomy and surgery at Helmstädt. Hälmstedt-Nuremberg, 1720. 
• Infantes pro diabolo olim suppositir habitos revera nihil nisi Rachiticos fuisse. Helmstädt, 1725.
• Epistola de morte Silii Italici, celebris poetae et oratoris, ex clavo insanabili. Helmstädt, 1735.
• Compendium institutionum sive fundamentum medicinae. Helmstädt, 1736. Translated into Dutch and German.
• Nachricht von dem Leben und Thaten des englischen Augenarztes John Taylor. Helmstädt, 1736. 
• Institutiones chirurgica. Leiden, 1739. Latin version of his Chirurgie (1718).
• Compendium medicae practicae, cui praemisse est dissertatio de medicinae praestantia. Amsterdam, 1743. Translated into Spanish and German.
• Die Kleine Chirurgie oder Wund-Artzney, in welcher ein kurtzer doch deutlicher Unterricht und Begriff dieser Wissenschaft gegeben, auch die nöthigste hierzu gehörende Werckzeige in Kupffer vorgestellt werden. Excerpts from his Chirurgie. Nürnberg, Joh. Adam Stein and Gabriel Nicolaus Raspe, 1747; 1767; Leipzig, 1749; Latin translation, Amsterdam 1743; Geneva 1748; Dutch, Amsterdam 1764.
• Systema plantarum generale ex fructificatione, cum regulis de nominibus plantarum a Linnei longe diversis. Helmstädt, 1748.
• Anatomisch-chirurgisches Lexicon. Berlin, 1753.
• Descriptio novi generis plantae rarissimae et speciosissimae africanae ex bulbosarum classe Brunsvigiae illustre nomen imposuit. Brunswick, 1753. Translated into German.
• Medicinische, chirurgische und anatomische Wahrnehmungen. Rostock, 1753. Translated into English.