GIUSEPPE CERVETTO

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN PHYSICIAN

Abstract

Giuseppe Cervetto (1807–1865) was a physician, lecturer, and medical historianfrom a Jewish familyborn in Verona, Italy. In addition to his clinical practice, he delved into historical studies, making notable contributions to the works of Italian anatomists from the 15th century, as well as to the physicians and their College in Verona, particularly G.B. Da Monte from the 16th century.In 1860, he was called to teach History of Medical Sciences at the University of Bologna. After two years, he became a lecturer in Hygiene and Forensic Medicine at Messina, but he sadly passed away at the relatively young age of 57 due to his delicate health.He strongly believed in the importance of medical knowledge «enriched by history», actively advocating the use of the biographical method in reconstructing the historical development of medicine and its inseparable connection with philosophy.