Caspar Wistar (physician)

Caspar Wistar (pronounced: KAS-par WIS-tar) was a prominent American physician and anatomist in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is best known for his contributions to the field of anatomy and for the Wistar Institute, which was named in his honor.

Etymology

The name "Caspar Wistar" is of German origin, with "Caspar" being a variant of "Jasper," which means "treasurer" in Persian, and "Wistar" being a surname of Westphalian origin.

Biography

Caspar Wistar was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 13, 1761. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where he later served as a professor of anatomy. Wistar's work in anatomy and his development of an improved method for the preparation and preservation of specimens had a significant impact on the field.

Contributions to Medicine

Wistar is perhaps best known for his "A System of Anatomy," which was the most widely used anatomical textbook in the United States for nearly half a century. He also made significant contributions to the study of tuberculosis and yellow fever, and he was a pioneer in promoting the use of vaccinations in the United States.

Legacy

The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, an international leader in biomedical research, was named in his honor. The Wistar rat, a breed of rat frequently used in biological and medical research, was also named after him.

Related Terms

• Anatomy
• Wistar Institute
• Wistar rat
• Tuberculosis
• Yellow fever
• Vaccination

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Caspar Wistar (physician)
• Wikipedia's article - Caspar Wistar (physician)

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