[Spanish urology in the renaissance]

Actas Urol Esp. 1991 May-Jun;15(3):253-9.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Spanish renaissance urology is a heirloom from both islamic and scholastic medieval trends. Theory and practice of urology generates three types of professionals: doctors, who study at universities and obtain their licence by making a demonstration before the Protomedicato Tribunal; surgeons, who acquire their surgical techniques through a teacher-pupil training relationship outside universities; and empirics, who were in charge of performing surgical operations. Urology literature exhibits greater interest during the second half of the century. Most outstanding are the works of Francisco Díaz. The pathologies arising greater interest are lithiasis and carnosities. Lithiasis is handled by lithotomists through a carving process of which there were two modalities, castilian and italian. Carnosities, which differential diagnosis, as well as that of lithiasis, was outlined by Andrés Laguna, are treated using a dilating bougie or, surgically, with a sharp instrument analogous to the urethrotome devised by Francisco Díaz.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Female Urogenital Diseases / history
  • History, 15th Century
  • History, 16th Century
  • Male Urogenital Diseases
  • Spain
  • Urology / history*