The Dutch physician and chemist Hermann Boerhaave (1668-1738) was the leading medical teacher of the early 18th century. His works on medicine and chemistry had widespread use as basic textbooks.

Hermann Boerhaave was born on Dec. 31, 1668, at Voorhout, Holland, the son of a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church. A painful leg ulcer which affected him for 5 years during his youth excited his interest in medicine. He aimed first to combine a career as a pastor and physician. After entering the University of Leiden in 1684, he took courses in mathematics, natural philosophy, botany, and languages, as well as in theology.

In 1690 Boerhaave obtained the degree of doctor of philosophy and began medical studies. As a physician, he was almost entirely self-taught, medical instruction at Leiden being at a low ebb. He obtained his medical degree in 1693 from the University of Harderwijk.

Having come under suspicion of being sympathetic...