Letter to the editor

Abstract

Dear Editor: Like many other readers, I greatly enjoy the Historical Images feature in Ophthalmology whenever space permits. They are educational and fun. The January issue commemorated the great anatomist Andreas Vesalius and his book De Humani Corporis Fabrica. The legend stated that De Fabrica was published in 1555. This, however, would have been the second edition. Vesalius began to write his masterpiece sometime in 1539, and the material had been sent piecemeal to the printer in Basel, Switzerland, by August 1542.1Norwich I. Andreas Vesalius. A bio-bibliographic study.. S Afr Med J. 1967; 41: 431-440PubMed Google Scholar Vesalius himself traveled to Basel in early 1543 to review proofreading and printing. The actual publication was delayed until August 1543, and Vesalius then immediately donated his book to the Spanish Emperor, Charles V. Vesalius thereafter returned to Padua, Italy, where he still held a professorship in surgery, although his salary had been withheld for a while when he was abroad attending to details of printing.2Simeone F.A. Andreas Vesalius anatomist, surgeon, count palatine, and pilgrim.Am J Surg. 1984; 147: 432-440Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar Faced with hostile opposition, he burnt in anger the remaining manuscripts and resigned in 1544, and his pupil and later critic Matteus Realdus Columbus was appointed in his stead. The Paduan years thus extended from 1537 to 1544, rather than 1542. Anyone interested in studying De Fabrica in more detail, including Chapter XIIII of the seventh book that describes the organ of sight, De Oculo Visus Instrumento, can do so easily, thanks to the advent of digital publishing. I can warmly recommend a low-cost, superior-quality digital facsimile of the 1543 edition held by The Warnock Library that is available on two CD-ROM discs.3Horowitz M. Collins J. A census of copies of the first edition of Andreas Vesalius’ De humani corporis fabrica (1543), with a note on the recently discovered variant issue.J Hist Med Allied Sci. 1984; 39: 198-221Crossref PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar, 4Vesalius A. De Humani Corporis Fabrica Basel, 1543 [computer program]. Palo Alto, CA: Octavo, 1998. 2 computer laser optical disks: 4 3/4 in. Accompanied by: 1 insert. System requirements for IBM PC Pentium or compatible; Windows 95, 98 or NT 3.5.1; 3 MB RAM; Window NT 4.0; 16 MB RAM; CD-ROM drive. System requirements for Macintosh; Power Macintosh with 3.5 to 5.0 MB RAM; CD-ROM drive.Google Scholar Notice of IntentThe American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Vision Rehabilitation Committee is preparing to revise the Preferred Practice Pattern (PPP) on Vision Rehabilitation for Adults. PPPs identify characteristics and components of quality eye care, are based on the best available evidence-based scientific data, and are clinically relevant and specific enough to provide useful information to practitioners. Preferred Practice Patterns are developed and revised by Panels usually comprised of subspecialty ophthalmologists and a methodologist, and are reviewed by and receive input from the Academy’s Education Committees, practicing general ophthalmologists who are experts in the field, the Board of Trustees, and legal counsel, as well as subspecialty societies. If you are interested in bringing to the Academy’s attention pertinent, scientifically-sound and evidence-based reports, references and articles (other than those which are readily available in the scientific literature) for this PPP, please forward by [Wednesday, November 15, 2000] to Nancy Collins, Department of Quality and Clinical Care, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 655 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.