Misplaced Pages

Santorio Santorio
Born	29 March 1561 Capodistria, Republic of Venice
Died	25 February 1636(1636-02-25) (aged 74) Venice, Republic of Venice
Alma mater	University of Padua
Known for	Discoveries concerning metabolism and invention of technical instruments

Santorio Santorio (29 March 1561 – 25 February 1636) whose real name was Santorio Santori (or de' Sanctoriis) better known in English as Sanctorius of Padua was an Italian physiologist, physician, and professor, who introduced the quantitative approach into the life sciences and is considered the father of experimental physiology. He is also known as the inventor of several medical devices. His work De Statica Medicina, written in 1614, saw many publications and influenced generations of physicians.

Life

Santorio was born on 29 March, 1561, in Capodistria, in the Venetian part of Istria (today in Slovenia). Santorio's mother, Elisabetta Cordoni (or Cordonia), was a noblewoman from an Istrian family. Santorio's father, Antonio, was a nobleman from Friuli working for the Venetian Republic as chief of ordinance of the city.

He was educated in his home town and continued his studies in Venice before he entered the University of Padua in 1578, where he obtained his medical degree in 1585. He became a personal physician to a Croatian nobleman from 1587 to 1594, and he set up a medical practice in Venice, where he met Galileo.

Santorio died in Venice on 25 February 1636 caused by complications of a urinary tract disease that he suffered from for many years, and he was buried in Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (Italian: Santa Maria dei Servi), the convent where he served as physicians for many years.

Work

From 1611 to 1624, Santorio was the chair of theoretical medicine at the University of Padua where he performed the very first experiments on bodily temperature, insensible perspiration and weight. He resigned from the university in 1624, due to political opposition from the senate. His Professor title and pension were kept for one year after he retired, as he returned to practice medicine in Venice in 1625. In 1630, he was one of the members of the Venetian College of Physicians appointed to cure the Venetian plague.

Santorio's place in the history of science and medicine rests primarily on his contribution to the development of experimental methods. Most notably, his merits lie in the elaboration of an early form of corpuscularianism and above all in the invention of precision instruments meant to ascertain the homeostatic balance of the body, especially with regard to pulse frequency, temperature, and insensible perspiration. These factors were in fact measured with special instruments called pulsilogia, with thermometers (hydrolabiaSanctorii), and by means of a weighing chair, also called sella Sanctorii, to which Santorio's name is still associated nowadays.

Inventions

Santorio was the first to use a wind gauge, a water current meter, the pulsilogium (a device used to measure the pulse rate), and a thermoscope. His pulsilogium and thermoscope predate similar inventions by Galileo Galilei, Paolo Sarpi and Giovanni Francesco Sagredo who were his learned circle of friends in Venice. Santorio introduced the pulsilogium in 1602 and thermoscope in 1611.

The pulsilogium was probably the first machine of precision in medical history. Extensive experimentation with his new tool allowed Santorio to standardise the Galenic rationale of the pulse and to describe quantitatively various regular and irregular frequencies. A century later, another physician, François Boissier de Sauvages de Lacroix used the pulsilogium to test cardiac function.

Study of metabolism

Sanctorius studied the so-called perspiratio insensibilis or insensible perspiration of the body, already known to Galen and other ancient physicians, and originated the study of metabolism. For a period of thirty years, Santorio used a chair-device to weigh himself and everything he ate and drank, as well as his urine and faeces. He compared the weight of what he had eaten to that of his waste products, the latter being considerably smaller because for every eight pounds of food he ate, he excreted only 3 pounds of waste. Santorio also applied his weighing device to study his patients, but records of these experiments have been lost.

His notable conclusion on finding this was that:

Insensible Perspiration is either made by the Pores of the Body, which is all over perspirable, and cover’d with a Skin like a Net; or it is performed by Respiration through the Mouth, which usually, in the Space of one Day, amounts to about the Quantity of half a Pound, as may plainly be made appear by breathing upon a Glass.

This important experiment is the origin of the significance of weight measurement in medicine. While his experiments were replicated and augmented by his followers and were finally surpassed by Antoine Lavoisier in 1790, he is still celebrated as the father of experimental physiology. The "weighing chair", which he constructed and employed during this experiment is also famous.

Bibliography

• Methodus vitandorum errorum omnium qui in arte medica contigunt (1602)
• Commentaria in artem medicinalem Galeni (1612)
• De Statica medicina (1614 )
• Commenteria in primam Fen primi Canonis Avicennae (1625)
• Commenteria in primam sectionem Aphorismorum Hippocratis (1629)
• De remediorum inventione (1629 )
• De lithotomia seu calculi vesicae consultatio co-authored with L. Batarourum (1629) ( Posthumous)
• De instrumentis medicis (unpublished)

Grants named after Santorio.

In January 2018 the Italian Institution Institutio Santoriana – Fondazione Comel created the Centre for the Study of Medicine and the Body in the Renaissance (CSMBR) as an International Institution of advanced research in honour of Santorio to study medical humanity. The centre offers each year various awards and grants for international scholars that are named after Santorio, such as the Santorio Award for Excellence in Research, the Santorio Fellowship for Medical Humanities and Science and the Santorio Global Fellowship.

References

1. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Barry, Jonathan (2022), Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio (eds.), "Introduction", Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790: Corpuscularianism, Technology and Experimentation, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–63, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0_1, ISBN 978-3-030-79587-0
2. Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio, eds. (2022). "Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790". Palgrave Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Medicine. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0. ISBN 978-3-030-79586-3. ISSN 2524-7387. S2CID 247531695.
3. Bigotti, Fabrizio (2020), Jalobeanu, Dana; Wolfe, Charles T. (eds.), "Santorio, Sanctorius", Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and the Sciences, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–4, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20791-9_309-2, ISBN 978-3-319-20791-9, retrieved 30 June 2023
4. Pearce, J. M. S. (April 2002). "A brief history of the clinical thermometer". QJM: Monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians. 95 (4): 251–252. doi:10.1093/qjmed/95.4.251. ISSN 1460-2725. PMID 11937653.
5. Purnis, Jan (2016), "Sanctorius: Born: 29 March 1561, Capodistria, Venetian Republic (now Koper) Died: 22 February 1636, Venice", in Sgarbi, Marco (ed.), Encyclopedia of Renaissance Philosophy, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–4, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-02848-4_970-1, ISBN 978-3-319-02848-4
6. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Taylor, David; Welsman, Joanne (June 2017). "Recreating the Pulsilogium of Santorio: Outlines for a Historically-Engaged Endeavour". Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society. 133: 30–35. PMC 6420152. PMID 30882088.
7. Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio, eds. (2022). "Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790". Palgrave Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Medicine. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0. ISSN 2524-7387.
8. Van Helden, Al (1995). "Santorio Santorio". The Galileo Project. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
9. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Barry, Jonathan (2022), Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio (eds.), "Introduction", Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790: Corpuscularianism, Technology and Experimentation, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–63, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0_1, ISBN 978-3-030-79587-0
10. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Barry, Jonathan (2022), Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio (eds.), "Introduction", Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790: Corpuscularianism, Technology and Experimentation, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–63, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0_1, ISBN 978-3-030-79587-0, retrieved 15 November 2024
11. Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio, eds. (2022). "Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790". Palgrave Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Medicine. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0. ISSN 2524-7387.
12. Nutton, Vivian; D’Alessio, Silvana (2022), Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio (eds.), "Santorio Santori on Plague: Ideas and Experience Between Venice and Naples", Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790: Corpuscularianism, Technology and Experimentation, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 217–238, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0_8, ISBN 978-3-030-79587-0, retrieved 28 March 2022
13. Bigotti, Fabrizio (2020), Jalobeanu, Dana; Wolfe, Charles T. (eds.), "Santorio, Sanctorius", Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and the Sciences, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–4, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20791-9_309-2, ISBN 978-3-319-20791-9, retrieved 30 June 2023
14. ^ "Santorio Santorio (1561-1636)". Vaulted Treasures: Historical Medical Books at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
15. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Barry, Jonathan (2022), Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio (eds.), "Introduction", Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790: Corpuscularianism, Technology and Experimentation, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–63, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0_1, ISBN 978-3-030-79587-0
16. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Barry, Jonathan (2022), Barry, Jonathan; Bigotti, Fabrizio (eds.), "Introduction", Santorio Santori and the Emergence of Quantified Medicine, 1614-1790: Corpuscularianism, Technology and Experimentation, Palgrave Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Medicine, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 1–63, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-79587-0_1, ISBN 978-3-030-79587-0, retrieved 30 June 2023
17. Bigotti, Fabrizio; Taylor, David (2017). "The Pulsilogium of Santorio: New Light on Technology and Measurement in Early Modern Medicine". Societate Si Politica. 11 (2): 53–113. ISSN 1843-1348. PMC 6407692. PMID 30854144.
18. ^ Grijs R, Vuillermin D (2017). "Measure of the heart: Santorio Santorio and the Pulsilogium - Hektoen International". hekint.org. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
19. ^ Eknoyan, G. (1999). "Santorio Sanctorius (1561–1636) – founding father of metabolic balance studies". American Journal of Nephrology. 19 (2): 226–233. doi:10.1159/000013455. ISSN 0250-8095. PMID 10213823. S2CID 32900603.
20. ^ Price C (13 August 2018). "Probing the Mysteries of Human Digestion". Science History Institute. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
21. Kuriyama, Shigehisa (1 September 2008). "The Forgotten Fear of Excrement". Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. 38 (3): 413–442. doi:10.1215/10829636-2008-002. ISSN 1082-9636.
22. "Home". CSMBR - Fondazione Comel (in Italian). Retrieved 4 August 2020.
23. "International Summer School in Renaissance Medicine - Early Modern Representations of the Body and its Changing Matter, 29-31 March 2019, Italy". ARMACAD. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
24. "Santorio Global Fellowship". Centre for the Study of Medicine and the Body in the Renaissance. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

External links

• Works by Santorio Santorio at Open Library
• A project on Santorio Santorio and the Emergence of Quantifying Procedures in Medicine is currently hosted by the Centre for Medical History of the University of Exeter (UK)
• An introductory video on Santorio's life and works here

v t e Urban Municipality of Koper
Settlements	Administrative seat: Koper Current Abitanti Babiči Barizoni Belvedur Bertoki Bezovica Bočaji Bonini Boršt Bošamarin Brežec pri Podgorju Brezovica pri Gradinu Brič Butari Čentur Cepki Cerej Čežarji Črni Kal Črnotiče Dekani Dilici Dol pri Hrastovljah Dvori Elerji Fijeroga Gabrovica pri Črnem Kalu Galantiči Gažon Glem Gračišče Gradin Grinjan Grintovec Hrastovlje Hrvatini Kampel Karli Kastelec Kolomban Koromači–Boškini Kortine Koštabona Kozloviči Krkavče Krnica Kubed Labor Loka Lopar Lukini Manžan Marezige Maršiči Močunigi Montinjan Movraž Olika Osp Peraji Pisari Plavje Pobegi Podgorje Podpeč Poletiči Pomjan Popetre Prade Praproče Predloka Pregara Premančan Puče Rakitovec Rižana Rožar Šalara Šeki Sirči Škocjan Šmarje Smokvica Socerb Sočerga Sokoliči Spodnje Škofije Srgaši Stepani Sveti Anton Tinjan Topolovec Trebeše Triban Trsek Truške Tuljaki Vanganel Zabavlje Zanigrad Zazid Zgornje Škofije Župančiči Former Breči Kocjančiči Planjava Potok Rojči Semedela Škuljani
Landmarks	Koper Almerigogna Mansion Belgramoni–Tacco Mansion Brutti Mansion Carli Mansion Da Ponte Fountain Gravisi–Barbabianca Mansion Gravisi–Buttorai Mansion Loggia Palace Muda Gate Prešeren Square Praetorian Palace St. Bassus's Church St. James's Church Tito Square Vergerius Square Elsewhere Dekani Parish Church Hrastovlje Church
Notable people	Zvest Apollonio Gian Rinaldo Carli Vittore Carpaccio Boris Cavazza Giorgio Cobolli Lucija Čok Zlatko Dedić Lorella Flego Pier Antonio Quarantotti Gambini Lucrezio Gravisi Franco Juri Tinkara Kovač Igor Pribac Tomaž Šalamun Santorio Santorio Nazario Sauro Spartaco Schergat Francesco Trevisani Pier Paolo Vergerio Pier Paolo Vergerio the Elder Vittorio Italico Zupelli

• 1561 births
• 1636 deaths
• Italian physiologists
• Republic of Venice scientists
• 17th-century Italian inventors
• 16th-century Italian physicians
• 17th-century Italian physicians
• People from Koper