Hermann Boerhaave

Boerhaave, Herman (Boerhaave, Hermann) (1668-1738), Dutch physician, botanist and chemist. Born December 31, 1668 in d. Voorhout (a suburb of Leiden) in the family of a village priest. At the insistence of his father, who wanted to see his son a priest, he studied theology. However, after the speeches in defense of Spinoza, has been subjected to attacking from the orthodox philosophers, has been accused of retreating from the religious dogmas and could no longer count on getting the pulpit. Having decided to devote himself to medicine, he entered the University of Leiden, where he studied chemistry, he studied medicine and philosophy. In 1690 received his Ph.D. in 1693 - the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1701 he was invited to the University of Leiden, lectured on the theory of medicine. From 1709 directed the departments of medicine and botany in 1918 - the Department of Chemistry, from 1720 - the department of practical medicine. In 1725 became a full member of the Paris Academy of Sciences, in 1730 - a member of the Royal Society of London. He has lectured in almost all the medical science of the time: physiology, pathology, surgery, ophthalmology, pharmacology. Twice elected rector of Leiden University (1714 and 1730).
Brilliant doctor and a teacher, Boerhaave established its clinical school. Great influence on his views had developed T. Sidenhemom system of practical medicine. A characteristic feature of this school was a priority for clinical practice over theory. Boerhaave considered necessary to a thorough examination of the patient with the use of systematic thermometer, which he introduced into clinical practice. Necessarily be conducting a detailed medical history. Boerhaave improved medical thermometer, first used in medical research magnifier.

Under the leadership of Boerhaave Leiden clinic is world-famous. His lectures and demonstrations of patients attended not only by scientists and doctors of all European states, but also political figures including Peter I. Among students Boerhaave was a French physician and philosopher Jean La Mettrie, German physiologist A. Haller, the founder of military hygiene in England, D. Pringle, the founder of the Vienna School of Clinical T. van Swieten. Medical scientist works have long been a basic guide for training physicians in almost all European universities. In Russia, by order of the Medical Office and at its expense in 1761 were printed in Latin in some of the works of scientists, they were selling at a cheap price, or were free of charge to poor students to hospital schools. Personal archive Boerhaave was brought to Russia by his nephew A.Burgave-Kaau and is currently stored in the library of the Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg.

Died Boerhaave in Leiden Sept. 23, 1738.