Erasmus and His Diseases

Pustulotic arthro-osteitis probably associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis has been diagnosed in Erasmus of Rotterdam, based on paintings of Quentin Massys (1517) and Hans Holbein the younger (1523), historical letters of Erasmus, and postmortem examination of the skeleton. This case report is a description of the earliest known case of pustulotic arthroosteitis, a syndrome reported for the first time in 1%7 and seen more commonly in Japan than in Europe. Works of art of many different kinds may provide an important source of evidence of disease and contribute to a better understanding of the natural history of a disease.

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Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536): Renaissance Advocate of the Public Role of Medicine

Albury

Weisz²

2003

J Med Biogr

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The great Renaissance scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam was a pioneering advocate of the importance of medicine for social as well as individual welfare. Erasmus' "Oration in praise of the art of medicine" (1518) illustrates his literary approach to this topic. Although the original version of his text did not address the state's role in promoting the health of the populace, Erasmus inserted new material on this topic into the "Oration" for a 1529 edition. This new material and references in some of his other writings from the same period indicate that it was in the 1520s that Erasmus first became a strong advocate of government intervention in public health matters. It is suggested that medical events in Erasmus' own life-his experiences both as a patient and as an observer of diseases-may explain why his interest in public health legislation increased significantly around this time.

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Erasmus and His Diseases

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

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Art, history, and rheumatism: the case of Erasmus of Rotterdam 1466-1536 suffering from pustulotic arthro-osteitis.

Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536): Renaissance Advocate of the Public Role of Medicine

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