"The Shakespeare of medicine": works and days of John Hunter (1728-1793)

Abstract

John Hunter is rightly ranks with such most famous researchers and physicians as Galen, William Harvey and Andreas Vesalius. His role as the founder of the "experimental surgery" of the New Age and the creator of the famous Hunterian Medical Museum in London is significant for the history of medicine. His contribution into development of dentistry is incontestable. His work "The Natural history of human teeth: an explanation of their structure, use, formation, growth and diseases" (1771) was translated into many languages, but it was never published in Russian. The accuracy of description of the anatomy of teeth, jaws and mouth cavity, the view? contemporary for us, of development of the jaws and their relationship with the masseters, the introduction of such terms as "canines", "incisors" and "anterior molars" into scientific circulation and everyday practice of dentists, the illustrations excellent by their quality and accuracy - all this is John Hunter. His works predetermined path of development of many medical directions, giving food for thought to his followers and disciples. The article reveals the facts of his biography, demonstrates significance of contribution of John Hunter into medicine in his works on anatomy, surgery, natural history of dentistry and stomatology.