Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738) was a Dutch physician, professor of medicine and chemistry, great practitioner and bedside teacher. He is considered the founder of clinical teaching and sometimes father of physiology. He firstly used a Fahrenheit thermometer and described rupture of esophagus. Boerhaave’s principal works are widely used textbooks: Institutiones Medicae (1708; “Medical Principles”), Aphorismi de Cognoscendis et Curandis Morbis (1709; “Aphorisms on the Recognition and Treatment of Diseases”), and Elementa Chemiae (1724; “Elements of Chemistry”).
- Medal
Bronze. Belgium ca 1820. Signed. Posthumous. Commemorative medal for the series Galerie métallique des hommes qui ont illustré de Pays-Bas
- Size
46 mm
- Artist
Jean Henri Simon (1752-1834), Dutch gem-engraver and medallist, born at Brussels. He was a great grandson of Thomas Simon and was taught engraving by his father, Jacob Simon. King Louis XVI granted him the title of engraver to the king. In order to escape the troubles of the French Revolution, he enlisted in the army and served as captain in the light infantry. Simon’s most important work is his series of medals of illustrious men of the Low Countries for which he created 100 pieces. (Forrer 5, 514)
- Obverse
Clothed bust to left; Curve along edge at left to right, HERMAN BOERHAAVE; below, SIMON F.
- Reverse
In five parallel lines, NATUS / MDCLXVIII / PROPE LEIDAM / MORTUUS / MDCCXXXVII
- Ref
Galst II.52; Storer 405
