Trattato Delle Principali Malattie Degli Occhi . Edizione Quinta [Of The "Saggio Di Osservazioni," Etc.], Accresciuta Dall'autore. [With An Appendix And Plates.]. Antonio Scarpa

Grands in-8° broché, couverture d'attente de l'époque, pièces de titre papier imprimées, ouvrage en condition de parution, non rogné à grandes marges. 3 très grandes planches dépliantes hors-texte. Due voll. in 8°, pp. VIII-374-(2), 350-(2) con 3 tavole ripiegate più volte f.t. - - - Né à Motta di Livenza en Vénétie, Antonio Scarpa étudie à l'université de Padoue sous la direction de Jean-Baptiste Morgagni et devient en 1772 professeur à l'université de Modène, où il fonde sa réputation par des cours de clinique et d'opérations chirurgicales. Il est appelé en 1783 à la chaire d'anatomie et de chirurgie de l'université de Pavie, et finir y devenit directeur de la Faculté de médecine. Il est connu pour avoir remis en honneur l'opération de la cataracte par abaissement, accréditer la méthode de Hunter pour les anévrismes, imaginer le procédé de la ligature par l'aplatissement, et exécuter des travaux sur les organes de l'ouïe et de l'odorat, sur les ophthalmies, les hernies, etc. Il est membre de la Royal Society (1791), de l'Académie des sciences (correspondant en 1804 et associé étranger en 1817), et de l'Académie royale des sciences de Suède (1821). A sa mort, des étudiants malintentionnés se glissèrent dans la morgue où était conservé le corps et en sectionnèrent la tête, qu'ils dérobèrent. Bien des jours plus tard, alors que l'inhumation du cadavre décapité avait déjà eu lieu, on retrouva la tête du professeur et, plutôt que d'exhumer la tombe, on décida de la conserver dans le formol, au musée de la Faculté de médecine où elle se trouve toujours. - - - - Scarpa was born to an impoverished family in the frazione of Lorenzaga, Motta di Livenza, Veneto. An uncle, who was a member of the priesthood, gave him instruction until the age of 15, when he passed the entrance exam for the University of Padua.He was a pupil of Giovanni Battista Morgagni and Marc Antonio Caldani. Under the former, he became doctor of medicine on 19 May 1770; in 1772, he became professor at the University of Modena. For a time he chose to travel, visiting Holland, France and England. When he returned to Italy, he was made professor of anatomy at the University of Pavia in 1783, on the strong recommendation of Emperor Joseph II. He remained in that post until 1804, when he stepped down to allow his student Santo Fattori to assume the chair. In 1805, Napoleon was made King of Italy. He chose to visit the University of Pavia, upon which he inquired as to the whereabouts of Dr. Scarpa. He was informed that the doctor had been dismissed because of his political opinions and his refusal to take oaths, whereupon Dr. Scarpa was restored to his position as the chair.In 1821, he was elected a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. During his lifetime he became a rich man, acquiring a collection of valuable paintings and living a wealthy lifestyle. He was a confirmed bachelor, and fathered several sons out of wedlock (whom he favoured through nepotism). In his career, he earned a reputation for ruthlessness, destroying his enemies and taxing his favourites to their limits. Toward the end of his life, Antonio Scarpa suffered from a stone in his urinary system. This caused an inflammation of his bladder, which resulted in his death. He died in Pavia on 31 October 1832.[6] After his death, his reputation was bitterly attacked, and even marble stones erected in his memory were defaced. After his death, his assistant Carlo Beolchin performed an autopsy which was documented in an extremely detailed report. As an incredible and questionable[according to whom?] act of homage to the great scientist, the head of the anatomist was removed and exhibited in the Institute of Anatomy. The head is still exhibited at the Museo per la storia dell'Università di Pavia.