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enabled to make numerous and important discoveries in anatomy. As a matter of curiosity, we may notice his secret method of preserving the human body after death in so perfect a manner, that his skill, in this respect, was an object of peculiar admiration throughout Europe. We learn from M. Fontenelle, that the subjects, thus preserved, had no appearance of dryness and wrinkles; and that, with a florid complexion and supple limbs, they seemed as if restored to life, or merely asleep, and ready to speak as soon as awaked. Thus, while the mummies of Egypt only prolonged the mournful aspect of death, those of Ruysch may be said to have lengthened the agreeable picture of life.
The exertions of this great man were continually directed to improvements in practice, and, with this view, he was a strenuous advocate for maintaining the close and natural connexion of surgery with anatomy.[1] But, Mr.
- ↑ Ruysch published a Collection of One Hundred Cases, all of which are related in so admirable a manner, and are so full of instruction, that they have received the unqualified approbation of the best critics.
