THE LIFE AND WORK OF SAMUEL THOMAS VON SÖMMERRING* By THEODORE H. BAST, PH.D. MADISON, WISCONSIN

N the history of physiology and anat- when his father took him to autopsies as omy there is an epoch of development often as possible. which began with Boerhaave and Sömmerring’s mother, Regina Geret, born Bernhard Siegfried Albin, reached its June 4, 1721, was the daughter of Christoph height in Albrecht von Haller, was con- Heinrich Andreas Geret, minister of the Itinued along the same Iines by Wrisberg, Evangelical church and senior of the Prot- Scarpa, Cuvier, Meckel, Rudolphi, Blumen- estant ministers of Thorn. In 1724 when, on bach and Bojanus, and was closed by the account of certain demonstrations by the accurate dissections of Bichat. One of the students of the Protestant gymnasium, the most important places in this epoch,which students of the Jesuit gymnasium per- extended approximately from the beginning secuted the Protestants by beheading ten to the end of the eighteenth century, was persons publicly, the Reverend Mr. Geret filled by Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring. had to flee to another town to escape death. Samuel Thomas von Sömmerring was This incident was often related in the born in Thorn, East Prussia, January 18, Sömmerring home and it Ieft a Iasting 1755, almost 300 years after Copernicus, impression on Samuel. In his Iater Iife, who first saw the Iight of the world in this whenever his thoughts were religiously same city. His father, Johann Thomas inclined he often related with great feeling Sömmerring, was born February 24, 1701. the account of the “Blood-bath of Thorn.” He began his medical education in the Samuel Thomas was the ninth of eleven then prominent high school of Lannenburg, children. AII died except one older brother, continued under Frederick Hoffmann at Johann Gottlob, who Iater became mayor Halle and finished under Boerhaave and of Thorn, and two sisters, Johanna Doro- Albin at Leyden, HoIIand. It is of note thea and Elisabetha Catharina, who mar- that in 1725, Albin (whose great scientific ried and Iived in Thorn. Only the Iatter of endeavors were rivaled fifty years Iater these was younger than he. only by the great anatomist, von Sömmer- Samuel, Iike his brother, displayed great ring) placed on the father, Johann Söm- enthusiasm for making collections of various merring, his doctor’s hat. When Samuel sorts. Among these was a collection of his Thomas was born his father was city earlier practice writings in German and in physician of Thorn, a position which he Latin, as well as many Christmas, New held as Iong as he Iived. This position no Year and birthday greetings to his parents, doubt gave Samuel Thomas an early uncon- which testify to his Iiterary ability at the scious acquaintance with medical and ana- early age of six to nineteen. The earliest tomical terminology. These influences were of these were in German verse but the Iater especially felt during his gymnasium years ones were in Latin prose. AII of them ex- * Read before the Wisconsin Medical History pressed a deep childlike thankfulness for the Seminar, University of Wisconsin, February 20, 1924. beneficence of his parents and the goodness Note . Acknowledgment is made for the help of God. At the age of eleven he prepared received from Dr. William Snow Miller and for a Iittle book entitled “Flowers and Plants access to the many works of Sömmerring which his Iibrary contains; also to Dr. M. J. Greenman who from Life, drawn by Samuel Thomas Söm- kindly furnished the copy of Sömmerring’s Ietter to merring, Anno 1766,” which gives evidence Caspar Wistar. of his early careful observation of natural forms and his skill at drawing. Not only his Iife and to which he contributed so does this book contain drawings of plants much knowledge. but also of highly colored butterflies placed The very prolific written communications in natural relationship to them- with his father during the years of his stay At the age of twelve he began a diary at Göttingen present in a most vivid manner which he continued throughout his college his pleasures and hardships and Ioves and career. The first notation in it was that at disappointments, but through them all his the beginning of September, 1767, he stop- unquenchable enthusiasm for knowledge ped taking drawing Iessons. He gave and firm determination to achieve the detailed account of all the happenings in highest attainments are evident. the family and in the city. Among these In September, 1774, he began his journey were births, deaths, marriages, and visits to Göttingen. He stopped at Berlin, at of traveling menageries. In astronomical Wittenberg to visit Luther’s grave, at phenomena he took great interest. He made Leipzig to visit his brother, a student of sketches of the phases of every eclipse of Iaw, at Gotha and Kassel. He took unusual the sun and moon, and gave accounts of interest in the university buildings and comets and other uncommon appearances. especially in the biological Iaboratories in The varied experiences of his preparatory these cities. In a Ietter to his father he and academic Iife were all carefully written describes all his observations in great detail, down. The incidents of the war of 1768 to especially the insect cabinet of Dr. Tscha- 1772, when Poland was divided, he pictured ken, which consisted of thirty drawers, each most vividly. This careful transfer of his of which was three times Iarger than his observations and experiences into writing own entire cabinet. and sketches no doubt was a fundamental From Leipzig to Göttingen Sömmerring factor in his keen observations, accurate was accompanied by his brother. On Octo- descriptions and clear illustrations Iater. In ber 14, 1774, he matriculated. In the selec- 1769 Samuel entered the gymnasium of tion of his subjects he states that he followed Thorn. It was under the influence of Rector the advice of his father and Ludwig’s Kries that his Iove for anatomy was first “Methodus doctrinae medicinae.” He kindled. The five years Sömmerring spent accordingly took anatomy under Wrisberg, there were almost entirely devoted to the Iogic and metaphysics under Feder and study of the classics. His Iater writings physics under Erleben. Besides these regular and the fact that he could carry on a subjects he studied Putter’s “Description conversation almost as well in Latin or of Göttingen.” Soon after Richter had com- French as he could in German give evi- menced his Iectures on diseases of the bones, dence of his thorough training during this Sömmerring visited one of them and, upon period. finding that he could follow without diffi- In the autumn of 1774, at the age of culty, attended them regularly. These Iec- nineteen, Sömmerring entered the Uni- tures no doubt were in part responsible for versity of Göttingen, where for four years his keen interest in bones and their diseases. he came in contact with men, methods, Anatomy had the greatest fascination for experiences, and knowledge which had a him. He read all obtainable works on the moulding influence on all his subsequent subject. Wrisberg soon recognized his ability, thoughts and actions. Until his death he praised him publicly, and made it possible for remained in intimate relationship with the Sömmerring to have access to copper plates faculty of Göttingen, their publications to which students as a rule had no access. and the Iibrary. It was during the third Of course special privileges and honors added semester that he dedicated his efforts to extra expense and reduced his already Iimited the subject which he pursued throughout allowance. He writes his father: I deny myself much, and eat no butter, which educated man I also have the duty to all other people in Göttingen eat. For supper I become better acquainted with religion.” eat nothing but dry bread and drink no coffee In January, 1776, he wrote to his father for breakfast. On rare occasions for my desert that he had studied in great detail Weit- at night I eat a piece of dry plum kucben. brect’s work and that he had completed Since one does not wear cuffs every day, I save the fourth volume of Haller’s “ Physiology.” a Iittle on Iaundry money. Besides his close relations with Wrisberg, In all of his Ietters he expressed a child- he became a great friend and admirer of Iike attitude of exceptional devotion to his Blumenbach who became a resident of father and to God, but when it came to Göttingen in 1775 and gave Iectures on money for his education he was in constant natural history. A Iifelong friendship conflict with his frugal father. When bis developed between them. It was Blumen- father wrote that he would give him money bach and Wrisberg who inspired in him for a three year course, he replied: “The enthusiasm for research. This endeavor study of medicine is much too extensive to endangered his finances and again he properly finish in three years. I would humbly begged his father to increase his much rather never have started education allowance. He used every possible Ieverage than to be a half-educated man.” to open his father’s purse. He Iamented In answer to another Ietter from his the deprivations he had to endure. He tried father he writes: to soften his father’s heart by picturing to You wrote, my dear father, “If you wish to him the agony produced by meals of dry be a medicus practicus you must Iearn to take bread and total abstinence from coffee and short cuts and not study Ionger than three years. beer. To make the condition all the more I have never permitted myself to think of being appealing he turned, in the very next sen- a mere medicus practicus. I have determined tence, to picture his great enthusiasm for to Iearn the fundamentals of knowledge and knowledge. He writes: therefore am unable to finish in three years, in The Christmas vacation I spent in Göttingen order, that if God permits, I may be called to and it was only with difficulty that I refrained a position in an Academy. Nothing, nothing myself from dissecting on Christmas day. I goes above education, and where can one reach have fmished a great dissection of the nervus higher attainments than in an Academy. I sympatheticus. Wrisberg calls me Herr Neuro- have therefore determined that I shall study Iogue, and has praised me publicly, which of anatomy and physiology and attend Iectures in course has brought hatred and jealousy. pathology. His frugal father, however, was not easily In the fall of 1775, after he had been at moved but finally did increase his allowance. Göttingen only one year he writes: When in March, 1776, his brother finished Most students become mere practitioners, his schooling and soon found a position, none care Iike I, to take up anatomy and Samuel Iaunched a new attack and asked for physiology and it ought not to be hard therefore his brother’s allowance. Finally he was to receive an appointment in an Academy. granted permission to study a year Ionger. There are many vacancies to be filled here and During the Easter vacation Sömmerring I have therefore already collected eighteen took a trip as far as Fürstenberg, which was subjects. an extra expense. He again begged for more His enthusiasm for knowledge was money from his father, making excuses for unlimited; he took chemistry, physics, the trip by enumerating the benefits. Among mathematics, and also attended three Iec- these he mentioned his meeting with noble- tures a week on religion by Dr. Lesz, who men and the acquisition of valuable methods discussed the criticisms of unbelievers, used in the other universities. Among the including Voltaire. He writes, “As an items of expense he included the cost of having his hair dressed which he says was Iived at the home of Dr. Blumenbach, where now necessary since his research often he enjoyed not only the fine Iibrary but brought him into association with the also the fine personality of this great anato- nobility. He informed his father, however, mist. After Sömmerring Ieft Göttingen that in his private Iife he deprived himself their friendship was continued through of food and conveniences. He ends the Ietter correspondence until 1828, two years before by saying; “A worse miser than I does not his death. exist.” His plan for the winter of 1777 was to His father finally sent the money but confme himself to the study of anatomy. stated that his son caused him a great deal He writes: of concern. Samuel answered: My plan is to know Anatomy. There is now a Do not be unwilling because I beg in order to great shortage of Anatomists. God keep me go to CoIIege. Do you not wish to give me the away from my home as Iong as possible, or necessities, why then did you allow me to take else my enthusiasm and spirit will vanish, up medicine, this expensive subject? This is my everything will be smothered by the miserable seeding time, the more I sow, the more shall I practice, from which I shudderingly shrink. reap. Those who finish in three years, seek only Fifteen years I spent in the study of Latin, and —with the grace of God—to pass their examina- I shall now complete in four years a science on tions. I have never refused to practice medicine, which depends the Iife and health of my dear father, if you wish it; however, a mere fellow men. practitioner I do not wish to be, could I but The winter of 1777 he spent in intense carry on theoretical medicine, this I would study on that difficult organ, the brain; consider my greatest happiness. And if at the a subject which interested him profoundly end of my studies I have not a red penny, but have Iearned something, then certainly bread throughout his Iife. At his room he made cannot be withheld from me. Please do not drawings, comparisons and descriptions of withhold anything from me. I will be glad to all the mammalian brains that he could settle with my brother and sisters. Now I want obtain. Wrisberg praised his work and to feed my soul, then I shall receive my advised him to choose anatomy as his fortune at the end of this Iife. Kindly continue career, to write a good thesis and to make a to send me the necessary money. I have allowed trip to England. Wrisberg promised that if the professors to wait so Iong already that in this schedule were followed he would find order not to cause unpleasantness I shall have a position for him in some academy. This to do some studying alone this winter. inspired Sömmerring to unusual effort. He Regarding activities, professors and determined to rise at six, remain at his work studies, his Ietters give much information. until twelve or one o’clock and to receive He praised Baldinger for his very entertain- no visitors nor make visits. Sömmerring at ing Iectures which were the result of a once submitted his plans to his father. successful practice and a sense of humor. Anxiously he waited for nineteen days for a Baldinger possessed all the Iatest Iiterature reply which ordinarily would have reached and permitted his students to have access him in eleven days. The father sanctioned to it. Richter’s instruction in surgery was all of his son’s requests except the trip to of unusual interest to him. He greatly England which he said he would grant under desired to practice surgery, but he says: no conditions. “Where shall I obtain the money for the In the fall of 1777, Sömmerring passed his expensive instruments.” Wrisberg had a examinations and received special praise very successful obstetrical practice and it from each professor. AII this had been was Sömmerring’s good fortune to be earned at no small cost; for he had applied permitted to assist him in many cases out- himself so untiringly to his task, that his side of the city. During his Iast year he body became greatly emaciated. He wrote to his father that at Göttingen he was becom- better and clearer than any of the previous ing thinner and thinner so that already he drawings on the subject. Not only did this did not Iook Iike himself, but he added: masterpiece attract attention among the “However, the more I Iose bodily, the anatomists but it also touched his old dearer and easier are the sciences for me.” father and so softened his heart and opened During the winter several good anatomi- his purse that he sent 700 tbalers and his cal vacancies occurred, but for some reason consent to a half year trip to England, Wrisberg, who had always promised which Sömmerring began May 17, 1778. Sömmerring a good Iocation, made no effort His first stop was at Hanover. He went to secure one for him. Wagner in his biog- there partly because he wished to express raphy of Sömmerring expresses the view his gratitude to the ministers who had so that Wrisberg, realizing that Sömmerring’s kindly sent his dissertation to the king and work was already overshadowing his own, partly because he wished to become became jealous, although openly he tried to acquainted with the great physician, Zim- conceal it. In this connection it is of note that mermann. When Sömmerring had sent his with the completion of Sömmerring’s thesis dissertation to Zimmermann the Iatter on the “Brain and Origin of the Cranial answered it as follows: Nerves,” Wrisberg’s value both as teacher Through such productions the reputation of and investigator dropped much below par. Göttingen will spread over all Europe. Disciples For some years after attempts were made by of your type bring honor to their teachers. members of the Göttingen faculty to place Students from foreign Iands will come to Sömmerring at the side of Wrisberg as pro- Göttingen in order to study Anatomy there Iike fessor of anatomy, but his modesty did not you . . . It is not enough to have made you a permit this. When Wrisberg finally died in doctor. Every Academy of Science would 1808, Sömmerring was so firmly settled at consider it a great honor to have you one of the Academy of Munich that he was unable their number. to accept the call to Göttingen. It was When Sömmerring came to Hanover, Blumenbach and Heyne who frequently com- therefore, Zimmermann received him with plained to Sömmerring regarding Wrisberg’s the greatest kindness and after he had inactivity. Ieft, wrote him that he had not seen a In April, 1778, Sömmerring finished his young man for a Iong time who pleased thesis, entitled, “De basi encephali et him so much and that his face and entire originibus nervorum cranio egredientium personality were exceptionally attractive. Iibri quinque.” He dedicated it to his On July 1, he continued his journey and father just at the time when the Iatter had after several minor stops arrived at Frane- finished his fiftieth year of activity as ker, HoIIand, July 6. Here be became physician in the city of Thorn. At his pro- acquainted with Petrus Camper, at that motion Dean Baldinger gave him unusual time the greatest physician and anatomist of praise. Wrisberg in a special Ietter to his HoIIand, who kept him so interested that father congratulated him on the splendid he did not find time to write to his father record and great ability of his son. until July 21. In this Ietter he informed Sömmerring’s thesis attracted great atten- his father about his trip and visits with tion among the greatest anatomists of Camper. The following extracts give us an the time, such as Petrus Camper, Palletta, insight into his experiences here. Scarpa, Alexander Monro and others I have now rented a private room for three throughout Europe. While the quality of weeks, which is far better than I could get at any his four plates does not in any way compare hotel. Because I Iearned Iow German at Göttin- with the high quality of the plates of his gen I have Iess trouble in getting along with the Iater anatomical works, yet they are far Iocal dialect. I am not taking time to Iearn their language because I could not remember it Iong. interest for invention and discovery. I Iove My conversations are in Latin and with those him with all my heart.” who do not speak Latin I speak French. On August 3, Sömmerring took his He expressed his unusual satisfaction departure from Franeker. Camper, who had with his trip and stated that the value traveled extensively, gave him many Ietters of his relation with Camper surpassed of introduction. Sömmerring stopped at his expectations. Amsterdam where he was greatly interested in von Marum’s museum. His next stop was Professor Camper is a man of stately physique, very Iively, unusually busy, and speaks Latin, Leyden where his father received his doc- French and English with equal ease. Already on tor’s degree. He took great pride in seeing the second morning after my arrival he, in some of Albin’s preparations and was answer to a written inquiry as to when I could deeply impressed by the place where his speak with him, Iooked me up and paid me a father attended the Iectures of Boerhaave. two hour visit. In the afternoon from 3 to 9 On August 18 he arrived in London. He p.m . I visited with him. After this I spent almost visited Oxford but spent most of his time every other afternoon with him, and took with John Hunter, whom he compared in dinner with him a number of times. He possesses many respects to Camper. Sömmerring a beautiful collection for the study of com- took many of his breakfasts with Hunter, parative anatomy. and it was at the Iatter’s house that he He writes that among the Iarge collection became acquainted with William Hunter, of skeletons and skulls of almost all Iarge Cruikshank, Sheldon and Pringle. mammals, the most wonderful is the com- His studies in London were confmed plete skeleton of an elephant. He tells mainly to anatomy and surgery. He eagerly about Camper’s attempt to investigate studied Hewson’s Iymphatic injections, and the epidemic which killed 1,400,000 cattle took his first Iessons on injecting them during the years 1769-1772. Camper inocu- under Sheldon, the anatomist. This tech- Iated oxen on which he made hourly nique he perfected under Alexander Monro examinations. His investigations were in Edinburgh. Sömmerring was the first greatly opposed. Preachers condemned him to bring this technique into Germany, and as a man who was attempting to halt a Tiedemann prided himself on having Iearned punishment sent by God. So extreme was it from him. It was Hunter who taught the opposition that attempts were made to Sömmerring to make sections of teeth. kill him while he was making his examina- At London he became acquainted with tions. Even the government found it impos- Georgius Forster, in whose home he spent sible to give him protection and he was many evenings. A friendship was soon forced to stop. established between these two that was This Ietter which covers over five printed second only to that of Jonathan and pages shows us with what unusual ease David. Forster was especially interested young Sömmerring could express himself in botany and thus Sömmerring met Linné’s in writing and also what clearness and son and other great scientific men. Forster exactness he put into expressing his vari- was also the chief reason for Sömmerring’s ous observations. membership in the order of Free Masons. Camper thought very highly of Sömmer- Forster played a great part in Sömmerring’s ring and remained in correspondence with Iater Iife as we shall presently see. him until his death. In a Ietter to Zimmer- At the suggestion of friends he made a mann, Camper writes: “I have never seen trip to Edinburgh where he entered into a a young man Iike this Mr. Sömmerring. close and helpful friendship with Monro, He has an astonishing vivacity to know who has already been mentioned. It was everything and he manifests an equal here that he had occasion to Iearn more about the microscope and recognized in it so he writes his father, “I make myself, great possibilities in spite of the fact that just as Camper does.” by most of the scientists it was regarded During these first months of his stay at as a worthless instrument. In the beautiful Kassel the result of his work on the Iym- city of Edinburgh, Sömmerring acquired phatic system, which he did in England, a Iifelong Iove for English customs, a passion appeared in published form. During the which is rarely found among true Germans. first years at Kassel he did not attempt The greater part of the winter of 1778-1779, to prepare many publications but rather he spent in this city. During this time he to spend his Iarge amount of spare time in kept his diary and wrote his Ietters to the study of the Iatest researches. To Forster in English. better accomplish this he applied to Heyne March saw him again in HoIIand where at Göttingen for the position of making he spent another month with Camper reviews for the Göttingsche Anzeiger which studying diseases of the vertebral column. was then the best and most widely circulated In April he was back in Göttingen in a journal of its kind in Germany. Haller had penniless condition. He again asked his previously held this position, but after his father for money. His father sent this with death Heyne had difficulty in finding some- the request that his son should come home one to do it, and in his first Ietter to Söm- once more before he accepted a position. merring he complained that Wrisberg, who But it happened that just at this time an was to have taken Haller’s place, was hold- offer was made him as professor of anatomy ing up the publication because of his inac- at the CoIIegio Carolino at Kassel in tivity. Heyne soon discovered Sömmerring’s Huber’s place. Forster had just previously ability along this Iine of work, and as a received a chair of natural history and he result an intimate friendship developed was greatly concerned in accomplishing between them which was interrupted only Sömmerring’s appointment. Sömmerring by Heyne’s death in 1812. Wagner writes was drawn by this offer because of its that after Sömmerring’s death, 450 Ietters proximity to Göttingen, his friends Forster were found written to him by Heyne and Camper, the time he had Ieft for study, between the years 1779-1812. Sömmer- the Iarge zoological gardens and the clean, ring’s Ietters to Heyne from 1791-1812 new, anatomical theater. In June, 1779, numbered 430. To his father Samuel wrote: he received this appointment with the “ I have taken over all the anatomical work salary of 400 thaler. He accepted and was of the Göttingsche Anzeiger, which of course obliged to come there at once. This neces- means Iittle money but much more knowl- sitated a postponement of his trip to Thorn. edge. It is a great honor to work on the first In August he received Ieave of absence to journal in Germany in Haller’s place.” make his trip home, where he spent a Sömmerring’s Iife during the five years happy month. The Iatter part of September which he spent at Kassel may be considered saw him back in Kassel. He at once became from two points of view. The one has to absorbed in his task, first to gather material do with his professional activities and the for his Iectures and research, and secondly other with the idealistic activities which to make a collection for the new museum. culminated in a secret bond between Söm- The Iandgrave who supported the zoological merring, Forster and Iater Johannes von garden bought for Sömmerring a collection MüIIer. The relationship between these men of thirty-six embryos, most of which were was of such a nature as is rarely found, and in the early stages. In the task of finishing is only described in poetry. The details the anatomical theater Sömmerring did not and facts back of this friendship have always hesitate to Iend his hand even in the rawest been hidden by the veil of a fraternal type of work. “Most of the skeletons,” order. It will be recalled that Sömmerring met Forster in England and there joined The Iandgrave had an unusual Iiking for the Free Masons. It appears that these Sömmerring and procured for him almost young enthusiasts did not find in this anything he desired in anatomical material. order that which their idealistic nature AII the animals which died in the zoological Ionged for and as a result they formed a gardens were presented to him for study. degree of their own within the order. From Thus he had much occasion to acquire papers and Ietters it was determined that knowledge, but only published, besides there were at Ieast three things that Iay at the paper on Iymphatics already mentioned, the bottom of this bond. First, they were a popular paper entitled “Bemerkungen engaged in alchemistic activities. They über den Bau des Orang-Utang.” The believed that they could make gold. It Iandgrave had started a negro colony near seemed that advantage was taken of them Kassel which gave Sömmerring opportunity in some way and they ran deeply into debt. to dissect a number of negro bodies. This Secondly, they believed that communion occasioned his publication in 1784 entitled, with the dead was possible and that in “Über die korperliche Verschiedenheit des this way something could be Iearned regard- Mohren vom Europäer.” In 1785, this was ing the Iife after death. Thirdly, both Söm- rewritten and two copper plates added. merring and Forster in their activities In this paper he carefully describes the body developed a sort of religious exaltation and internally and externally, the body fluids religious fanaticism which Ied them into and excreta, and makes a comparison with Iong incessant prayer resulting in a state the body of a European. He found that the similar to that of our present day Holy negro resembled the ape in many respects Jumpers. It was not until about 1783, that but Sömmerring nevertheless placed him they began to realize the danger they were in the same species with the European approaching within this order. At any rate white man. This short paper still stands as they were more and more overtaken by a a classic. It is the only purely scientific fear of something from which they did not piece of work that he did at Kassel. It is seem to be able to Ioose themselves. What- of note that he did not put it into form until ever this was it developed into an almost after Forster Ieft and did not publish it unbearable condition so that Forster, who until after he himself was at Mainz. He dedi- was more impulsive and made very quick cated it to his dearest friend, Forster, in decisions, Ieft in the Spring of 1784 for the most intimate manner. The Iast sentence Wilna to take a position which he never of this dedication best expresses his mood: Iiked. Sömmerring, too, still troubled and “The completest harmony of thought, Ionely, felt that he must Ieave Kassel, and which has been strengthened by our separa- accepted the position as professor of anat- tion, will unite us again.” Several years omy and physiology at Mainz on Sep- Iater Sömmering did manage to find a place tember 9, 1784. for Forster at Mainz where they were once Except for this unfortunate develop- more united, but where their too intimate ment his stay at Kassel was ideal. His friendship gradually died. teaching took Iittle of his time. He had much The great regard which the landgrave had opportunity for study and thought. That for Sömmerring made possible his entrance his thought and time were greatly usurped into the highest class of society at Kassel. by his bond with Forster may be deduced On many occasions he dined with the from the fact that he published Iittle during Iandgrave, who also was instrumental in these five years. Although association was acquainting him with the secretaries of Iargely confmed to Forster and Müller, state, Bürgel and Schlieffen, who were of he had a great many other friends, espe- great help to him. It was through this cially among the nobility and statesmen. source that Sömmerring became acquainted with his Iifelong friend Gocthe. Sömmcrring, twcnty. Hc prcparcd thc skclcton and his bccause of his mcagcr income, had to live a artist, Kocck, madc a bcautiful drawing of very plain Iife and was unable to return the it as a counterpart of Albin’s malc skclcton. plcasant cntertainmcnts which hc reccived In 1788, appeared his papcr on the brain and from the many dignitaries that he came to spinal cord, which was a prcdccessor of his know. To his fathcr he complaincd that he frve-volume anatomical handbook. In 1790, was unable to entcrtain his ncarcst fricnd he wrote his first papcr on paleontology. and beggcd him to scnd a service sct con- Sömmerring’s papcrs were not all of a sisting of six silvcr knivcs and forks. His strictly scicntific naturc; he occasionally fathcr informed him that he would give him wrotc a popular papcr which gave him this on his wcdding day. But Sömmcrring, public rccognition. Such was his papcr of who always knew how to manage his father, 1788, entitlcd “Injurious Effccts of Tight wrote that his whole rcputation hung on Lacing” in which hc enumcratcd thc bad this, and that it was but a trille for thc son cffects of tight Iacing on the normal of the first physician of Thorn to ask. functioning of thc internal organs. In a Finally his father sent it. skilful drawing hc shows side by side thc With his removal to Mainz in 1784 differences in the skeleton of a Venus dc Sömmcrring entercd the more stable and Mcdici and the skcleton of a tightly Iaccd productive period of his Iife. Being scparated woman. This papcr creatcd such intense from Forster he had more time for practical interest that the fad of tight Iacing and work and Iess occasion for idealistic and hoop skirts at once began to subside. In religious dreaming. He interested his 1793, five years Iater, when he revised this students in research problems and he himself article, the custom had so subsidcd that in gathercd together his previous observations his preface he wrote as follows: “Previously and, with the advantage of a fine anatomi- it was an exccption to see women, who werc cal museum, added to thcm so that in the not tightly Iaced, in public places of our city first period of his stay in Mainz he published but now the reverse is true. Now one Iaughs a number of papers. To a number of works at tight Iacing as a fad of thc past century. he addcd notes and additions. Of these the One seldom sees girls nowadays so tightly most important is the revision of Haller’s Iaced as to rcsemblc wire dolls whom every- “Grundriss der Physiologie,” by Wrisberg, one regards with pity as being shown off by Meckel and Sömmerring. This revised edi- some old-fashioned aunts.” tion was a valuable textbook. In 1784, he The above paper and one on “ Dislocations described the optic chiasma; a discovery and Fractures of the Vcrtcbral Column” which resulted from the study of diseased which was accompanicd by a plate of four eyes. In 1785, he published an article on the drawings of a broken vcrtcbra, were givcn pineal body with special reference to the prizcs by scientific associations. variation of brains in various individuals. Most of Sömmcrring’s rcsearch timc at In 1797, he published his “Tabula sccleti Mainz, however, was spcnt on two othcr feminini juncta descriptione.” Albin had pieces of work, both of which appcarcd in published a beautiful plate of a male skelc- 1791. The onc was entitlcd, “Abbildungcn ton but had Iamcntcd that he had none of a und Bcschrcibungcn ciniger Misgcburtcn, well-formed femalc skeleton as its counter- die sich chcmals auf dcm anatomischcn part. Sömmerring, therefore, put forth every Thcatcr zu Casscl befandcn,” and the othcr effort to find one. He carefully observcd all was his five-volumc anatomical handbook. the female bodies which he reccivcd, but Thc material for the formcr was partly none were perfect enough for him. Finally collcctcd at Kasscl. Among the Iarge numbcr he received the body of the most bcautiful of human cmbryos which hc studicd girl in Mainz who had dicd at thc age of he found an almost complctc scrics of duplicates. (This collection is now sup- This precaution he took in all of his writings posed to be in the museum of Marburg, at except one, “Thc Organ of the Soul,” of Ieast it was placed there by Bünger.) This which we shall speak presently. He pur- treatise consists of very clear drawings of posely avoided the use of proper names in each formation in the series and is accom- naming organs; for he held that the credit of panied by a description of each plate. discovery was in many cases erroncously Sömmerring hcld himself entirely within placcd. Thus he writcs in his preface: “Did the Iimits of descriptive anatomy. He stated not Fallopius know the ileocecal valve that he could be of best service by simply Iong bcfore Bauhin? . . . Did not Hallcr stating facts and by allowing everyone to dccribe the venous valve of the right draw his own conclusions. He so arrangcd auricle more correctly than Eustachius?” He his plates that the reader is prepared for attempted to use only such terms as were thc Sömmerring’s statement at the end of the most descriptive, and in this effort aidcd much article that to him it is a pleasure to find in the simplifying ofanatomical terminology. and show the orderly and natural degrees of Sömmerring’s unselfish and broad-minded change that occur even in the malformations outlook in writing this text is best shown by of the human body. This was in very marked a passagc from his preface. contrast to the views of that time which I wish to produce a handbook and to organize regarded malformations as products of it in such a manner, that subsequently one can witchcraft and association of womcn with use it as a basis, change it as may be necessary, the devil, a view which was held even take away from it or add to it. I therefore among scientists for some time after this nowhere use the first person in the text except publication appeared. The point of view for brevity in part of the chapter on “ Variations which Sömmerring presented was funda- in bones in different nationalities.” mental to all the subsequent development of For two decades the handbook was used embryology. in practically all German medical schools. During the same year, 1791, the first Twenty years Iater John Fredrick Meckel edition of his five-volume anatomical hand- justified the appearance of his similar book, “Vom Baue des menschlichen Körp- text as follows: “The excellent German ers,” was published. Volume one deals with handbook, which we possess, Sömmer- bones; volume two, Iigaments; volume three, ring’s Masterwork, handles most of the muscles; volume four, vascular system; systems so excellently that it may in its volume five, brain and nerves. Part 11 deals greater part be considered final, but it is with viscera and the apparatus of digestion incomplete in that it does not contain the and respiration. It did not appear until 1796. sense organs, urinary system, reproduc- The second edition appeared in 1801 both tive system and embryology. Further- in German and in Latin. This work was dif- more, while it contains the general ferent from any text that had heretofore facts of each system it does not contain the been in use in that it was exclusively anatom- generalities of the entire structure.” In ical. Physiology and anatomy had always spite of these valuable additions, Meckel’s been combined; this fact may have, in part, text never bccame as popular among been responsible for thc Iack of knowlcdge studcnts as Sömmerring’s more voluminous of anatomical detail. It was Sömmerring’s handbook. It is strange that Sömmerring purpose to prepare a text which contained did not include the sense organs, for he only anatomical facts not copied from some knew them best of all and some years Iater existing description but actually observcd presented thcm in exquisite form in separate by himself. He tactfully avoided all dis- brochures. The reason for not including the cussion of mooted qucstions of function and urinary and reproductive systems was no refrained from advancing new theories. doubt due to the fact that the French Revolution drove him from Mainz beforc his bcst. thinkcrs found that the animation obscrvations were complcte and his subsc- was not only probably in thc watcr but quent work at Frankfurt as practitioncr that water was actually cssential for thc prevcntcd its completion. In spite of its production of Iifc. And what is the cthcr incomplctcness his tcxt prcscntcd pure of Leibnitz, Ncwton, Culer and Kant anatomy, an idca so valuable that Doel- other than fluid?” Iingcr in 1828 speaks of Sömmerring as Becausc of this animatcd naturc of watcr the founder of gencral anatomy. In this Sömmcrring was convinccd that thc cerc- conncction it is of intercst that Hildebrandt bral Iluid, cspccially sincc it is so closcly published a handbook very much Iikc that of rclatcd to thc ending of the ncrvcs, was Sömmerring both in style and contcnt, organizcd and that this organ was thc scat which appearcd at about thc same timc. of the soul. Kant criticizcd this point of In 1796, he rcceivcd a prize for a papcr vicw in that he considcrcd it inconceivable on the nature and prevention of hernia, to have thc individual particles of water from the Scicntific Society of Göttingen. organizcd. He, however, suggcstcd a hypoth- Thc papcr, howevcr, which arouscd the esis even Iess bclicvable. He suggestcd grcatcst controversy and brought Söm- that thc various impulses cffcct the fluid mcrring a great dcal of criticism, was his in a diffcrent chcmical manner. For instancc, paper on the “Organ of the Soul,” which he the impulse of sight Iiberates a certain dcdicatcd to Kant. In this papcr he failcd elemcnt from the chcmical complex con- to adhere to his policy of publishing only stituting thc ccrebral fluid, which produccs pure observations. Bccause of its many the spccific scnsation. Thc impulsc of hcar- dogmatic statemcnts it was subjected to ing Iibcratcs another clemcnt. In each casc the severe criticisms of philosophers, meta- the Iiberated element unitcd with the physicians and scientists. Even Kant, who complex as soon as the stimulation stoppcd. was a great admirer of Sömmerring’s pre- Göethe made a fair criticism of Sömmcr- vious work, had no word of praise for it. ring’s paper in one of his Ietters to him. In fact from none of his scientific friends He writes: did he receive the applause which he had received for his other work. Sömmerring It seems to me you have harmed your believed that the cranial nerves had their observation, experience and knowledge by the common origin in the walls of the brain title and the method which you chose . . . Had you ignoredtheactivity and controversiesof cavity or in the cavity itself, and since philosophers, and restricted yourself to natural the cavities are filled with fluid he concluded findings no one could have criticized it, but on that the fluid was organized and was the the contrary everyone would have honored your common seat of sensations (sensorium endeavors. Had my advice been asked, I would communé). He tried to establish that the have entitled the paper “Ending of Nerves in nerve impulse or motion could not begin the Brain.” in a solid part but rather in a fluid which could easily be set in motion. He empha- He thcn suggcsts what he would havc sizcd the thought that the sensorium com- Icft out. mune was in that place where all the ncrvcs If it had then been reorganized, Ieaving out all had their common origin, namely in the dogmatic statements, many would then after cavity of the brain. He thcn attempted by reading your paper have said, “Oh, yes I can a priori methods to prove that fluid was well conceive that the sensorium commune is animated. As evidence he quoted the Bible. found in the fluid of the cerebral cavity, another “And the Spirit of God movcd upon the might have found the idea impossible, a third face of the water.” “Thalcs,” hc writcs, would have taken an indifferent attitude, and “found the Ultimate in the water.” “Thc for all your paper would have been of equal great and specific worth and each would have had to the French and entered the political field. thank you for the many points of information. Sömmerring was more conservative, and as The’ opinions of most of Sömmerring’s a true German could not agree with his friends on this paper were concealed by old friend. Forster drifted into political tactful evasions. Blumenbach never men- difficulties but died a natural death soon tioned it. Jacobi made sickness an excuse after the government had placed the price for not commenting on it but never referred of ioo ducats on his head. Sömmerring in a to it Iater. Heinse ignores the dogmatic Ietter to Heyne expresses the thought that imaginations, and comments favorably on Forster’s early death on January 12, 1794, the purely anatomical findings, while Metz- saved him from a worse fate. gcr seems to be convinced that thc sensorium It will be recalled that Sömmerring had commune might be in a fluid as readily as contracted debts at Kassel as a result of in a solid part of the brain. his alchemistic activities. In 1787, in order The publications already referred to and to erase some of these debts he decided to those which hc finished after he Iived in sell his anatomical collection, which he suc- Frankfurt, the material for which he had ceeded in doing. The Kaiser’s body-physi- preparcd at Mainz, give us a good concep- cian, Brambilla, bought it for the Academy tion of his productivity during the period of Wien for 400 ducats. He also asked of his connection with the University of Sömmerring for two other human skeletons Mainz. During the first year after his which Sömmerring made for thirty ducats. arrival there, he cliscovered a talented In March 1792, at the age of thirty-seven, young man by the name of Christian Koeck Sömmerring married Margaretha Elisa- who was employed as an ordinary model betha Grunelius, a member of one of the maker at one of the art shops. Sömmerring first and the richest families in Frankfurt. secured him as his own model maker and While on his wedding trip to Wien he artist. Sömmerring, who himself had an Iearned that the French had takcn Mainz artistic hand ancl mind, soon developed and he decided not to return there with young Koeck into an artist of great merit. his young wife. He thereforc went to Frank- One needs only to glance at the drawings in furt where they Iived with his wifc’s people Sömmerring’s publications on the sense for the time being. He remained there organs or his “Tabula sceleti feminini during 1793, when the Frcnch moved to juncta descriptione” to realize what Koeck Frankfurt. In June, 1793, his son Dctmar must have meant to him. Sömmerring Wilhelm was born. He Iater became a thought very highly of him and retained much beloved physician of Frankfurt. Dur- him until his death in 1818. Koeck was so ing the next few years it was necessary for skilful that he received a professorship of Sömmerring to go to Mainz for short drawing at the technical school at Mainz. periods but he never remained there Iongcr When Sömmerring was about to Ieave for than necessary. In 1794, he went to London Munich, Koeck accepted a position at where he received a call as a Iecturer, but Moscow, Russia, for which he was not on his arrival there found conditions were fitted and from which Sömmerring saved not as expected and so returncd home. In him by obtaining him for Munich. the summer of 1797, he was obliged to go Four years after Sömmerring came to to Mainz again. He found conditions there Mainz he was instrumental in getting impossible and he begged for his release in Forster there as Iibrarian. Their intense ord'er to enter the practice of medicine at friendship continued for a short time. Frankfurt. The release was granted after With the beginning of the French Revolu- some hesitation. tion their political views brought them to Sömmerring was not primarily interested the parting of the ways. Forster sided with in the practice of medicine. His heart was still set on research and he made use of all hair of the eyebrow slanting, as they Iie in nature, his spare moments to complcte some of or horizontal,asone findsthem pictured so often? the work he had startcd at Mainz. His Plate two pictures the clctails ancl gcncral artist stayed at his house and made the effect of the eye of a twenty-five ycar olcl drawings. It was during this period that woman during peaccful slccp. In his intro- Sömmerring produced his best illustratcd duction to thc plate hc statcs: “Thc publications. One of thcse is the supplement knowlcdgc of the human cyc is best obtainecl to William Huntcr’s work on the pregnant by following thc natural ordcr, of invcsti- uterus, cntitlcd “Icones embryonum gating the extcrnal first ancl thcn gradually humanorum,” 1797. Hunter’s illustrations passing to the intcrnal structures.” Hc fails are of embryos of the second hall of prcg- to state in his text that this cye was that nancy only. Sömmerring, therefore, con- of his wife, which hc had his artist draw fincd himself mainly to illustrations on the secretly while she was aslcep. first half of pregnancy. Only two plates Bcsides these publications, Sömmcrring’s are given. Plate 1 consists of a series of Iife in Frankfurt from 1797-1805 as prac- sixteen embryos and Plate ji of an embryo ticing physician was an active one. In spite with and without its embryonic membranes. of his Iarge practice he founcl time to do Sömmerring was not satisfied with his research in experimental medicine. Thc early publication on the brain. In 1799 occasion for this was givcn by the stir therefore, he published a new cdition with which Jcnner’s cow-pox vaccination had at better illustrations, entitled “Tabula baseos this time made throughout Gcrmany. Jcn- cncephali.” Wagner comments that these ner’s first results were not entirely satis- illustrations are beautifully rcproduccd and factory and augmented by superstition that they are much better than Vicq aroused considcrable opposition. This oppo- d’Azyr’s and those accompanying his thesis, sition was so common that when on onc which Iookcd flat and d'd not show depth. occasion a teachcr askcd the children; He criticized them, however, for the careless “Why was Moses hidden by his mother?” rcpresentation of the nerve roots. He also a small pupil replicd, “Because his mother comments on the fact that Sömmerring did not want him to be vaccinated.” In never published a drawing on the internal the face of this opposition, Sömmerring configuration of the brain nor on the internal together with Dr. Lehr took up thc study structure of an embryo. of cow-pox vaccination and directcd thcir The finest illustrations of Sömmerring, special attcntion to the variolous test. drawn by Koeck, are those of the spccial Thcir account states: scnse organs. His paper on the eye was published in 1801, on the ear in 1805, on Fourteen vaccinated children were brought voice and taste in 1806, and on smell in together to one place, and all inoculated on the 1809. On the eye he prcpared eight plates. same day with small-pox before witnesses. The The first plate presents a profile view of the small-pox matter was taken fresh from a child’s pustules at the third day of their suppurative eye. To him no existing picture of the stage, and was inserted by Iancet-puncture.The external eye was accurate. He writes: children were kept under observation and Therefore I begged my artist to try his best to inspected from time to time by impartial wit- combine the greatest accuracy of individual nesses. By the second or third day inflammation details with the strongest retention of the whole; had arisen at the punctures in all of them and so that the finished product would produce the papular elevation could be felt; on thefourth proper impression both from near and distant day all the papulae had a zone of redness about view . . . Truly, accurate sketching costs no a half of an inch around, and a Iittle yellow fluid more effort than incorrect! Does it not, for ex- at their summits; on the fifth and sixth days ample, cost the same effort whether I picture the eleven of the fourteen showed the papulas become pustules, Iarger or smaller, filled with of his wife had brought to him. He therefore yellow matter, the remaining three cases having Ionged to get into a different atmosphere. aborted from the papular stage; on the seventh Many calls came to him during the follow- day the redness began to decline and the ing year from different educational institu- pustules began to wither; and on the eighth day tions, but he was very cautious in accepting the redness had disappeared, and the pustules any of them. Early in 1805, however, he became covered with yellowish-brown semi- was made Geheimrat and mcmber of the transparent crusts. No eruption followed.1 Academy of Munich. The Academy was This translation is taken from Charles new but there was great promise for progress Creighton’s book on “Jenner and Vacci- in the near future. In this expcctation, nation.” “This,” he says, “is one of the however, the members were disappointed best recorded Variolus Tests in the whole partly on account of the management, but Iiterature of vaccination.” Sömmerring does more so on account of the French Revolu- not state how soon after vaccination the tion. Besides his papers on the sense organs, test was applied. According to Prussian Sömmerring wrote five papers during his official reports it was always done on the first five years at Munich for which he eighth or tcnth day after vaccination. Fol- received prizes. The first of these was on the Iowing these experiments critics were abun- “Structure and Function of the Lung” dant. Several articles were published in the (1808). Reisseisen also wrote a paper on this city making out that the new inoculation subject. Both received the prize in Berlin. was being taken up by enterprising young Sömmerring’s second prize was received in doctors in order to introduce themselves Wien for a paper on the fatal diseases of the into private practice, or to find a means of bladder and ureters in old men (1809). The supplanting their old established but Iess other three papers which received prizes progressive rivals. This, however, did not from Amsterdam were on the cause, diag- disturb Sömmerring. He was well satisfied nosis, and treatment of umbilical hernia with his experiments, and the doctrine of (1811); on the fluid which is reimbibed by protection was established in Frankfurt. nerves (1811); and on the cause, diagnosis, In 1802, Mrs. Sömmerring died, having and treatment of abdominal and inguinal bcen marricd but ten years. Sömmerring hernia (1811). These papers practically had Iived very happily with her and felt closed his Iiterary activity along anatomical her Ioss keenly. Had it not been for his son Iines, although he made many observations, and daughter, both Iess than nine years old, especially in anthropology. Among the many he would have gone to London to establish skulls which he studied and measured was a practice there. But the children’s relatives that of Theophrastus Paracelsus which Pro- were all at Frankfurt and they wantcd him fessor Aberle of Salsburg had produced for to remain. He did remain and gave thcm the his study. Sömmerring noticed on this skull tenderest care that a father could bestow. a fissure which he said was caused by some Soon after Mrs. Sömmerring’s death, he physical injury. Some time Iater he read in a was confined to bed with inflammatory book2 that Paracelsus was thrown from a rheumatism from which he very slowly window, a fall which resulted in fatal recovered. When he was better again he injuries. felt Ionesome and his own house seemed to His studies at Munich, because of the remind him of his misfortunes. His practice Iack of anatomical buildings and bodies for did not give him enough mental activity. dissection, were centered on physical, elec- His associations at Frankfurt continually trical, paleontological, and astronomical called to his mind the grief which the death subjects. In 1809, he presented at the 2 Ed. Joh. Hessling Theophrastus Redivivus. 1 Med. Chirurg. Zeitung., July 23, 1801. ZofTmgen und Hamburg, 1663. meeting of the Academy two papers. Onc was rcady in a fcw days, this sccondary was on the galvanic telegraph, which he objcct, the alarum, cost mc a grcat deal of also dcmonstratcd. This construction was rcllcction, and many usclcss trials with also presentcd to Napoleon i who remarkcd, whcelwork, till at Iast, I hit upon this “C’est une idée germanique.” vcry simple arrangement.” The tclcgraph, The war between France and Austria however, was not practical since it operated in 1809 gave rise to Sömmerring’s dis- only in short distances. covery. On the 9th of April, 1809, the The sccond of these papcrs was on the Austrian troops crosscd thc River Inn, and evaporation of alcohol through animal mem- on the i6th occupied Munich, whence brancs. These observations hc continued King Maximilian had flcd on hcaring of and thc rcsults wcrc presentcd in a serics thcir approach. The Emperor Napoleon, of mcmorials, the Iast of which appcarcd having specdy intelligence of this move by as Iate as 1824. Hc discovered that if new Choppe’s scmaphore, hastencd away with wine werc encloscd in a dry animal bladder troops, and so rapid and unexpected were it would within a short timc obtain the his movements, that in Iess than a weck quality of old wine. This principlc was made the Austrians were obliged to retire, and use of in obtaining absolute alcohol. He on the 25th Maximilian reentered thc capital. This event in which Choppe’s semaphore played so important a part caused much attention to be directed to the subject of telegraphy, and on the ^th of July following we find the Bavarian minister, Montgelas, requesting his friend, Dr. Sömmerring, to bring the subject before the Academy of Science (of Munich) of which he was a distinguished member. Sömmerring at once gave the matter his attention and in three days had constructed his first five-wire telegraph. He soon recon- structed this into the thirty-five-wire tele- graph. Apparatus D in the illustration is an apparatus for attracting attention at the distant station, which he perfected on August 23, 1810. He made the gas, rising showcd that alcohol could be made almost in small bubbles from two contiguous pins watcr-free by enclosing it in a dry beef in the water, collect under a sort of invertcd bladder hung ovcr a hot sand bath. The glass spoon at the end of a Iong Iever, which water will evaporate through the mcm- rising made a second Iever bent in the branes more rapidly than the alcohol. He opposite direction on the same axle descend also showcd that in the distillation the and throw off a Iittle perforated Ieaden ball Iightest and most specific part of the alcohol resting Iightly on it, and which falling on an is given off Iast. escapement, set the clock work of an ordi- Sömmerring also continued to add to his nary alarm, D, in motion. This arrangement, muscum. Many of thc spccimcns which he simple as it is, gave Sömmerring much collected were fossils which had always trouble. He writes in his diary, “If the interested him greatly and on which hc principal part of the telegraph gave me no published a serics of papcrs. When he Ieft troublc, and demanded no alteration, but Munich in 1820, his collections numbcred 2,287 preparations; 660 of these were pre- myself from gctting into a rage.” The servccl in fluid and 1,627 were dry. French Revolution decreased the effective- Astronomical studies also occupied some ness of the Academy considerably. In his of his time, but it was not until the Iast Ietters to Heyne he states that he tried to few years of his Iife that this field com- keep at his work as much as possible pletely occupied his scientific endeavors. because, if he allowcd himself to discuss the Optical instruments had a fascination for war conditions he bccame so enragcd that him. At Munich he became intimately he was unable to work. To Heyne hc also acquainted with Fraunhofer, who con- wrote a most sarcastic description of structcd a small apparatus which Söm- Napoleon Bonaparte after he had seen him merring had invented for sketching for the first time at Munich. Most of the microscopic objects. This was known as people of Munich favored Napolcon and the “ Sömmerringsche Spiegelschen.” This is Sömmerring, who was a true German, had the first camera Iucida on record. The only a few friends who thought as he dicl. astronomical instruments which Fraunhofer He, therefore, often felt Ionesome and stated so in his Ietters to Heyne. After the freshness of the revolution had worn off, things went better with him. He was still active writing reviews for the Göttingsche Anzeiger. Scientific societies showed their appreciation of his efforts and he became a member of almost all of them. In 1808, he was received into the rank of nobility, and in 1818, he received a similar honor from Russia. In 1812, his closest friend, Professor Heyne of Göttingen, died. In the same year his only brother died. These Iosses he felt very keenly and they almost disheartened him. After Heyne’s death his Ietters to Ebel became more numerous. During the next eight years many of his old scientific friends with whom he had been in almost constant had inventcd were highly prized by Söm- contact died and he felt his interest in merring, and he used one of thcm in the Iife slipping more and more. He, too, at study of sun spots until shortly before times felt the pressure of age overpowering his death. his strength. The cold climate of Munich Sömmerring’s Iife at Munich was not as did not suit him and he Iongcd for rest. pleasant as his early Iife at Mainz nor as In 1820, he resigned his position at Munich productive as at Frankfurt. That he had and returned to Frankfurt to spend his determined to clo his best, however, and Iast years with his children, both of whom no doubt did, may be Iearned from one of Iivcd there. Through correspondence he the first items in his diary which he started remained in contact with the activities of with the New Year of 1804. On January 28, the Academy, and with his friends. Ana- 1804, he writes, “I entercd my fiftieth tomists, physiologists, and scientists never year with the earnest determination to be missed an opportunity to visit Sömmerring better, calmer, more discrete, milder, more whenever it was possible for them, and it was dccent, to work more constantly, Iive with exceptional pride that he welcomed cheaper, to stop chair-slecping, and kcep them. He was not idle during these Iast years, but whatever time he did not use for happincss on this carth. During thc cold scientific study and the observation of sun wintcr of 1829, hc continucd to obscrvc sun spots with a Fraunhofcr instrumcnt, he spots from an opcn window for half an hour gave to his children, relatives and visitors. at a time. In this way hc contractcd a Sömmcrring’s correspondence was not numbcr of colds which cach timc Icft him Iimited to Europc, and the following Ietter in a weakcr condition. On Deccmber 29, shows that he was recognizcd as an ana- 1829, he made his Iast obscrvations with the tomical authority by such American scicn- rcrnark that he would not sce thc sun much tists as Caspar Wistar. Ionger. In spite of digcstivc disturbances and The following is a copy of a Ietter from continual Ioss of strcngth he was happy and von Sömmerring to Dr. Caspar Wistar: scemcd well and often statccl that hc fclt well. On Fcbruary 4, 1830, he wrotc his Iast München iyth June, 1817 Ictter to DöIIingcr, his succcssor at the Dear Sir: Acadcmy of Munich. On Fcbruary 25 he Your benevolent opinion about my Iiterary character expressed as well in your excellent ended his diary, which he hacl kcpt since System of Anatomy as in your friendly Ietter, 1804, with his own signature in Iarge Ictters gives me the greatest pleasure and makes me and handcd it back with thc words: “This is wish to be able to express the feelings of my the Iast that I shall write.” On March 3, gratitude. 1830, five days Iater, while the sun was The present of your work (received I7th shining brightly at noonday, his wish that June, 1817, by my excellent friend A. G. Camper) he might dcpart from this Iifc without is the more agreeable as I hardly would have struggle was fulfilled. been fortunate enough toget it in anyotherway. What Sömmerring was and what hc The neat specimens of the os Sphenoideum meant to Europe was rccognizccl even beforc and Ethmoideum are invaluable additions to his dcath, ancl was bcst dcmonstratcd at the my anatomical collection having never seen cclebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his them myself in fresh or preserved state. I doctorate, when statesmen and rcprcsenta- shall now be very attentive to examine these processes of the ethmoid bone in children of two tivcs from thc universities of Germany came years age, being fully persuaded Mr. Bertin to Frankfurt and hundrcds of scientists had never met with them of such a considerable wrote Ietters of congratulations and sent size nor of such a peculiar structure. presents in order to show thcir appreciation Not knowing which of my publications are of his contribution to mankind. Elcven of already in your possession, or whether you read his scientific friends dcdicatcd publications German or which way I could the best oversend to him on this day. Krctzschmar and them, in return of your Iiberality I hope for Tcmminck namcd curious natural products information. after him. Martius, who had just rcturncd ThankfuIIy your friend and servant, from South Amcrica, namcd a Icgumc which S. Th. von Sömmerring, he had discovercd thcre “Sömmcrringia Privy Counsellor to h . m . k . of b . semperflorcns” in honor of him. As a matter I am preparing an account of your work for of fact almost all Gcrmany cntcrcd this the Göttingscbe Gelehrte Anzeiger. celcbration, in that hundrcds of Germans On April 7, 1828, fifty years after hc had and even foreigncrs, doctors, cducated mcn received his doctor’s degrce, scientists and and statcsmcn, unitcd to have a medallion friends from all parts of Europe extcnded to cast which had on thc one sidc a picturc of him greetings either by thcir prcscnce or Sömmerring and on thc othcr the basc of through the mail, and all Frankfurt was in the brain. In Frankfurt this celcbration was festive array. Soon after this cvent he con- entcrcd with grcat cnthusiasm and thc fided to his son that nothing was Iacking but Scnkcnbcrgischc Naturforschende Gcscll- a mild death in order to have Iivcd in perfect schaft cstablished a fund in honor of him, as a charter member, for a prize known as the Hirs ch , Augu st . Biographisches Lexikon der hervor- Sömmerringische prize. This prize was to be ragenden Aerzte, Wien & Leipzig, 1884. given once in four years to that German who Raub er , A. A. and Kop sc h , F. Lehrbuch der Anatomie, ed. 9, vol. 1. during the four years had given the greatest Sömme rr ing , S. T. & Reiss eisen , F. D. Ueber die impetus to physiology. The purpose of this Structur, die Verrichtung und clen Gebrauch cler prize truly expresses the position of Lungen, Berlin, 1808. Sömmerring’s value. The individual products Sömm erri ng , S. T. De basi encephali et originibus of his thought and observations have not nervorum cranio egredientium, Goettingae, all stood the test of more critical observa- 1778. Sömm erri ng , S. T. Vom Baue cles menschlichen tion and expcrimcntation, made possible Körpcrs. 4 vols., Frankfurt a. M., 1791-99. by the use of the microscope and electrical Sömme rri ng , S. T. De morbis vasorum absorben- appliances, but they have fulfilled the tium corporis humani. Trajecti ad Moenum, dcsire, which he expressed in the preface of 1795- his anatomical handbook, that they should Sömm errin g , S. T. Tabula sceleti feminini juncta stand as a basis upon which others could descriptione. Trajecti ad Moenum, 1797. Sömm err ing , S. T. Abbildungen cles menschlichen build. Auges. Frankfurt a. M., 1801. BIBLIOGRAPHY3 Sömme rri ng , S. T. Abbildungen des menschlichen Hörorganes. Frankfurta. M., 1806. Allgemeine Biographie, deutsche Leipzig, 1892. Sömm erri ng , S. T. Abbildungen der menschlichen Bea le , L. S. How to Work with the Microscope, Organe des Geschmackes und der Stimme. 1868. Frankfurt a. M., 1806. Biography of Sömmerring, Lancet, Lond., 1830, Sömme rr ing , S. T. Abbildungen der menschlichen vol. 11, p. 243. Organe des Geruches. Frankfurt a. M., 1809. Fahie , J. J. A History of Electric Telegraphy, 1837. Sömme rr ing , S. T. Lehre von den Eingeweiden und Hame l . Historical Account of the Introduction of Sinnesorganen des menschlichen Körpers. the Galvanic and Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Umgearbeitet von E. Huschke, Leipzig, 1884. into England. St. Petersburg, 1859. Wag ne r , Rudol ph . Samuel Thomas von Sömmer- 3 The works by Sömmerring are from the Iibrary ring. Lebcn und Verkehr mitseinen Zeitgenossen. of Dr. William Snow Miller, Maclison, Wisconsin. Leipzig, 1884.