Abstract & Overview
MEMOIR OF CAJIPEU.associated with in London, induced him to revisit tliat capital during the vacation of 17o2.On tliis occasion, he resumed his various pursuits witli re- doubled ardour.Among other objects, his attention was much directed to the method of inoculating for the smallpox, the practice of which was yet contiiied to England.On his return to Franeker, he resumed his lectures, which were every year more numerous- | ly attended, and gained him such increasing cele- ; brity, that he was soon ranked as one of the ablest !men of science in Holland.In 1755, he was ap- pointed Professor of Anatomy and Surgery to the Athenseum at Amsterdam, and came in consequence | to settle in that city, then the seat of opulence and | learning.In 1758, he was appointed Professor of Medicine ; and thus delivered two other inaugural ' discourses, the former on the utility of anatomy in all sciences, and the latter Z)e Carlo in Medicina, In 1756, he married the widow of the burgomaster of Harlingen.After continuing six years in Amsterdam, his avo- cations became so multiplied and so fatiguing, tliat he resolved to change the scene, and, by doing so, to yield to the strong desire which Mrs Camper had j long entertained of retiring into Friesland.He ac-| cordingly resigned his chair at Amsterdambeing ^ allowed, however, to retain the honorary title of Professor; and, once more, he took up his abode at Klein-Lankum, his country residence near Franeker.His principal work during the time he held the chair very is unquestionable ; for, in respect to Camper, it is not stated that he claims to liave made the dis- covery earlier than 1761, while J. Hunter's words are, " Before quitting my anatomical pursuits in 1760, 1 had discovered the organ of hearing in fishes, and had the parts exposed and preserved in spirits.In some instances, the canals were injected with co- loured wax, in others with metals, which, when the bone was afterwards corroded, made elegant casts."Camper's Essay on the Physical Education oj In-Jants, was occasioned by the subject having been pro- posed as a prize-essay by the Society of Sciences of Haarlem ; and to such challenges we shall find that Camper gave a ready and usually a successful response.Among the points discussed, are the clothing of in- fants, their nourishment, their instruction, and, last- ly, their inoculation, at that time a subject new and much canvassed, and to which our author lent the whole weight of his autliority.When treating of clothing, he alludes to the melancholy fact, of the number of girls in the higher and middling classes of society, who, from diseased spine, grow up deformed, and shews that the deformity is scarcely to be met with among rude nations, or the children of the poor.He inquires into the cause, an<l protests, in strong terms, against the excess of care and peculiarity of dress which cramps and thwarts the intentions and operations of natui e, and urges free and unrestrained exercise and activity.We ridicule, says he, the Chi- nese, for maiming the Icet of their female children, ''"d disputed subject ; only we think it right, in a *