An Interactive Annotated World Bibliography of Printed and Digital Works in the History of Medicine and the Life Sciences from Circa 2000 BCE to 2022 by Fielding H. Garrison (1870-1935), Leslie T. Morton (1907-2004), and Jeremy M. Norman (1945- ) Traditionally Known as “Garrison-Morton”

15961 entries, 13944 authors and 1935 subjects. Updated: March 22, 2024

VIGO, Giovanni da

1 entries
  • 5559.1

Practica in arte chirurgica copiosa… continens novem libros.

Rome: per S. Guillireti et H. Bononiensem, 1514.

The first complete system of surgery after that of Guy de Chauliac. In 1503 Vigo became the personal surgeon to Pope Julius II. His Practica in arte chirurgia copiosa was completed in 1514 and first published in Latin. It consists of nine books ranging from a consideration of anatomy necessary for a surgeon, to sections on abscesses, wounds, ulcers, benign and malignant tumors, fractures and dislocations, pharmaceuticals, ointments and plasters, as well as sections on dentistry, exercise, diet, syphilis, among others.

De Vigo introduced a novel approach for treating mandible dislocations and described a trephine he invented, as well as a number of new instruments. He had a broad spectrum of knowledge in surgery based in part on the ancient Greek and Arabic medical literature, but mainly on his personal experience.  He contributed significantly to the revival of medicine in the sixteenth century, and can be considered as a bridge between Greek medicine of antiquity, Arabic medicine, and the Renaissance. His Practica contains an account of gunshot wounds and a section on syphilis. The book went through 40 editions; an English translation by B. Traheron was published in London, 1543. 



Subjects: DENTISTRY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE › SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES › Syphilis, SURGERY: General