Juan Valverde de Amusco in the medicine of the spanish Renaissance

Abstract

The anatomical works of Juan Valverde de Amusco History of the composition of the human body, and De humani corporis fabrica by Andrés Vesalio were the two main references for anatomists and surgeons during the Renaissance. Valverde’s work is the result of the study on the corpse. It is composed of seven books and follows a descending architectural order, from head to toe, in the same way as Vesalius’ text. Valverde was accused of plagiarizing Vesalio’s De humani corporis fabrica, the criticisms came from northern Europe -Vesalio was born in Brussels-, the arguments used were lacking in solidity and more interested than with a scientific basis. It is paradoxical to see that Valverde’s work was better known in Europe than in Spain, despite being written in Spanish. The promulgation of the Real Pragmatic by Felipe II that prohibited studying in foreign universities contributed to this ignorance.