During a 1547 lecture at the University of Ferrara, Amato Lusitano demonstrated that air could not pass from the azygos vein into the vena cava. This experiment challenged established anatomical theories of the era, providing early evidence regarding the function of venous valves and the mechanics of human blood circulation long before the invention of the microscope.
Early Education and Exile
Born in 1511 in Castelo Branco, Portugal, Amato Lusitano descended from a Marrano family known as Chabib. After completing his medical training and graduating with honors from the University of Salamanca, he chose not to return to Portugal to avoid the Inquisition. His subsequent travels took him through Antwerp, France, and eventually to Italy, where he established a reputation as a highly skilled physician.
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Between 1546 and 1552, Lusitano held a position at the University of Ferrara, where he taught anatomy and medicinal plants. His work included the dissection of twelve cadavers, a significant procedural shift for the period. During this tenure, he conducted the experiments on the azygos vein that provided empirical evidence of valves within the venous system, contradicting the prevailing view that blood flowed through connected arterial and venous networks without such regulation.
Professional Practice and Persecution
Lusitano treated notable patients, including the niece of Pope Julius III and the Pope himself. Despite this professional standing, his life was frequently disrupted by religious instability. Following the accession of Pope Paul IV, he fled Ancona to seek refuge in Pesaro, forced to abandon many of his possessions and unfinished manuscripts. He eventually settled in Thessaloniki, then part of the Ottoman Empire, where he was able to openly practice his Jewish faith until his death in 1568.
Medical Publications
His primary literary contribution, the seven-volume Curationum Medicinalium Centuriæ Septem, documented various clinical cases and treatments across multiple European editions published between 1551 and 1653. Additional works include his index of Dioscorides, commentaries on Avicenna, and treatises on medical crises and diagnostics. These texts were widely disseminated in cities including Venice, Basel, Paris, and Barcelona, influencing medical discourse for generations.
Fast facts
- Born: 1511, Castelo Branco
- Died: 1568, Thessaloniki
- Educated: University of Salamanca, University of Ferrara
- Primary Field: Medicine
- Notable Work: Curationum Medicinalium Centuriæ Septem
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Portugal
- Languages: Latin
Questions readers ask
What was Amato Lusitano's primary medical discovery?
He is credited with identifying the function of valves in the veins, providing evidence that contradicted contemporary beliefs about blood circulation.
Why did he leave Portugal?
He feared the Inquisition and sought an environment with greater religious tolerance for his Jewish background.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Ferrara
