SCARPA

SCARPA Antonio (Antonio Scarpa, 1752-1832), an outstanding Italian anatomist and surgeon, a student of Morgagni. At the age of 18, he became a doctor of medicine, and at 20, as a professor of anatomy and theoretical surgery in Modena, he gained wide renown through his works written in Italian and Latin. At his insistence, a magnificent anatomical theater for that time was built here. In 1783, he moved to Pavia, where the Austrian government had also built a new building for the anatomical school. In 1787, S. was entrusted with teaching clinical surgery. In 1803, he left the chair of anatomy, retaining the surgical clinic for himself until 1812, when he ceased teaching activities but remained director of the medical faculty until his death. He made many anatomical discoveries, and a number of anatomical terms are associated with his name. As a surgeon and ophthalmologist, S. became famous for developing many new surgical methods and successfully performing them. As a teacher, he was distinguished by the beauty and clarity of his exposition.