The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Edward Tyson, Dr. (20 Jan 1651 - 1 Aug 1708)

Physician, anatomist, and fellow of the Royal Society; appointed physician and governor of Bentham Hospital in 1684, where he was a progressive clinician. He might also have been associated with St. Thomas's Hospital if he is the Dr. Tyson mentioned by John Brown in his communication in the Philosophical Transactions (1685). Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/27961?docPos=1 Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Tyson Relevant locations: Educated at Oxford University, Oxford
Educated at Cambridge University, Cambridge
Workplace or place of business London, England
 Relationships: Edward Tyson was a member of Royal College of Physicians (1518-)
Edward Tyson was a member of Royal Society (-)

Frederick Slare (1646/7-1727) was a worked with Edward Tyson
Richard Waller (1660-1715) was a friend of Edward Tyson
Linked print sources: as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Carigueya, seu Marsupiale Americanum. or, The anatomy of an opossum, dissected at Gresham-College by Edw. Tyson, M. D. Fellow of the College of Physicians, and of the Royal Society, and reader of anatomy at the Chyrurgeons-Hall, in London..
as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Lvmbricvs Latvs, or a Discourse read before the Royal Society of the Joynted Worm, wherein a great many Mistakes of former Writers concerning it, are remarked; its Natural History from more exact observations is attempted: and the whole urged, as a Difficulty against the Doctrine of Univocal Generation: by Edward Tyson M.D. Col. Med. Lond. nec non Reg. Societ. Soc..
as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Orang-Outang, sive Homo Sylvestris: or, the Anatomy of a Pygmie Compared with that of a Monkey, an Ape, and a Man.
as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Tajacu seu Aper Mexicanus Moschiferus, or the Anatomy of the Mexico Musk-Hog, &c..
as Author (in assoc. with a ms or print source) - Viprera Caudi-Sona Americana, Or the Anatomy of a Rattle-Snake, Dissected at the Repository of the Royal Society in January 1682. by Edw. Tyson M.D. Coll. Med. Lond. Cand. & R. S. Soc..
as Correspondent - Carigueya, seu Marsupiale Americanum. Or, the anatomy of a male opossum: In a letter to Dr Edward Tyson, from Mr William Cowper, Chirurgeon, and Fellow of the Royal Society, London. To which are premised some further observations of terrestrial brute animals, particularly of those that have their feet formed like hands. Where an account is given of some animals not yet described.
as Mentioned or referenced by - A Remarkable Account of a Liver, appearing Glandulous to the Eye; communicated by Mr John Brown, Chirurgeon of St Thomas Hospitall in Southwark; in a Letter to one of the Secretarys of the Royal Society.
 Linked Objects: Collector (minor) - voided worm
 References in Documents:
[Excerpts from Zacharias Uffenbach's diary of his visit to Oxford in 1710 in the company of his brother Johann Friedrich Uffenbach]

Further we saw the skeleton of a pigmy, mentioned by Benthem, p. 327. This skeleton has very white, sharp teeth. One would take it for the skeleton of a monkey; it is not an ell high. Dr. Edward Tyson, [*] Dr. Edward Tyson sent in June 1700 a number of books to Dr. Hudson for the Bodleian Library. He asked Dr. Hudson to accept a copy of his book "Ourang Outang"; this book was in fact on the dissection of a chimpanzee. Hearne sets out a long letter written by Tyson. in his treatise, Orang Outang sive homo Sylvestris, in which he also treats de Pygmaeis makes mention of this. The Librarian insisted on his opinion that it was an old man, because it had all its teeth. But could it not be a child which had cut all its teeth? If it is an old man he must have been a very small dwarf : for that it was really a pygmy credat Judaeus Apella, non ego ...

[Excerpts from Zacharias Uffenbach's diary of his visit to Oxford in 1710 in the company of his brother Johann Friedrich Uffenbach] [*] Dr. Edward Tyson sent in June 1700 a number of books to Dr. Hudson for the Bodleian Library. He asked Dr. Hudson to accept a copy of his book "Ourang Outang"; this book was in fact on the dissection of a chimpanzee. Hearne sets out a long letter written by Tyson.
[Excerpts from Zacharias Uffenbach's diary of his visit to Oxford in 1710, Gunther translation] Skeleton of a Pygmy: teeth are quite white and pointed. It is considered to be the skeleton of a monkey. It is not an ell high. Cf. Tyson, Orang. The librarian maintains it to be an old male, because its dentition is complete. 'Credat Judaeus Apella.'
Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

A TOOTH taken out of the Testicle or Ovary of a Woman, and given by Dr. Edward Tyson. 'Tis near ½ an Inch long, pointed like the Eye-Tooth of a Man, but more slender. As hard and white as any in the Head.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The SKELETON of a PORPESS, or Sea-Hog. (b) (a) Tursio Plinii. Phocæna Rondeletii. The Description and Anatomy of the Animal is given us by Bartholine (Hist. Cent. 2.) By Mr. Ray (Phil. Trans. N. 76.) By Dan. Major (Miscel. Curios. German. An. 4.) And lately more largely by Dr. Edward Tyson. Some of the particulars more remarkable are, That the Fat, which is an inch thick, encompasseth the whole Body, as in a Hog. That the Fibers which run through the Fat from the Membrana Carnosa to the Skin, do obliquely decussate one another like a Lattice. And I may here observe, That the like Decussation is made betwixt the white and red Fibers of all Muscules.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

A STURGEON. Acipenser. Sturio, because one of the greatest of edible Fishes; for Stur, in the Danish-Tongue, signifies Great. (a) (a) Wormius. See Wormius his Description. Especially that of Salvianus, with his curious figure. The like in Besler. The parts by which he is best distinguished, are his very long and sharp Snout, his little Mouth, to be seen only when he lies on his back, and his thick and bony Scales; which stand in Rows so, as to make the Fish almost Pentangular. The figure of most of the side Scales is Rhomboidal. It is affirmed by Moufet, (a) (a) L. de Re Cibaria. That the Scales of a Sturgeon turn towards the Head; borrowing his Error herein of Pliny.

Lately, a piece of a Sturgeons Gut was shewed me by Dr. Edward Tyson, which he had cut off of a great One sent to my Lord Major. It is very thick, strong and Muscular. And the inner Coat made of Fibers, so loosely woven together, as to look like a Net; and that above the eighth of an inch in thickness. In which a plenteous Chyle is conveniently lodged, and thence gradually transmitted to the Lacteal Veins.

Scaliger saith (b) (b) Exerc. 182. S. 2. of the Guts of a Sturgeon, that being taken out and cut all to pieces, those pieces will still move. Which may partly depend upon their great thickness and muscularity; the like being observable in cutting the Heart and other Muscular parts of divers Animals.

The Sturgeon is taken in most great Rivers, as well as in the Sea. He hath sometimes been seen, saith Bellonius, six yards long. The bigger he is, as all other Fish, the better meat. The Italians (c) (c) Salvian. prefer the Belly before the Jole. His Liver very delicate. At Hamburge and Dantsick they eat (or did in Moufet's time, who reports it, eat) Sturgeon roasted. In the same Author, see a most excellent Pickle for this Fish. The Eggs being salted and made up into a Mass, were first brought from Constantinople by the Italians, and called Caveare. Of the way of making it, see Gesner. The pickled pieces made of the Chine, are by some called Schinalia. Of the long Bag (d) (d) Salvian. which grows next the Chine, the people that live near Tanais make Glew.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685) A List of those who have Contributed to this Musæum: excepting some Names which are lost. His Highness Prince RUPERT, Count Palatine of the Rhine. THomasThomas Allen M. D. John Aubrey Esq. WILLIAM L. Visc. BROUNCKER. Hon. ROBERT BOYLE, Esq. Dr. Erasmus Bartholine. John Bembde Esq. Sign. Paul Boccone. Mons. Olaus Borrichius. Joseph Bowles Merch. Sir Thomas Brown Edward Brown. M. D. JONH JOHN late Lord B. of CHESTER. EAST-INDIA COMPANY. ROYAL AFRICAN COMPANY. Walter Charleton M. D. Walter Chetwynd Esq. Andrew Clench M. D. Samuel Colepress, Esq. Thomas Cox, Esq. Edward Cotton M. D. Thomas Crispe Esq. Ellis Crispe, Esq. William Crone M. D. John Evelyn Esq. George Ent Esq. Captain Thomas Fissenden. Nehemjah Grew M. D. Hon. CHARLES HOWARD of N. Esq. Theodore Haac Esq. Thomas Henshaw Esq. Abraham Hill Esq. Mr. Hocknel. Luke Hodgson M. D. Robert Hook Geom. Pr. Anthony Horneck B. D. Sir John Hoskins. John Houghton Pharm. L. Edmund King M. D. Mons. Lannoy. Mr. Langerman Mr. Linger. Fath. Hieronim. Lobus. Richard Lower M. D. Martyn Lyster Esq. Mr. John Malling. Sign. Malpighi. Christopher Merret M. D. Sir Thomas Millington. Sir Jonas Moore. Sir Robert Moray. Mr. S. Morgan. HENRY Duke of NORFOLK. Walter Needham M. D. Isaac Newton Math. Prof. Henry Oldenburge Esq. Philip Packer Esq. Dudley Palmer Esq. Sir William Petty. Robert Plot L L. D. Walter Pope M. D. Thomas Povey Esq. SETH Lord B. of SALISBURY. Mr. Scotto Merch. Mr. John Short. Sir Philip Skippon. Francis Slare M. D. George Smith M. D. Mr. John Somner. Sir Robert Southwell. Dr. Swammerdam. Captain Tayler. George Trumbal T. D. Edward Tyson M. D. WILLIAM late L. WILLOUGHBY of Parham. Sir Christopher Wren P. R. S. George Wheeler Esq. Daniel Whistler, M. D. Henry Whistler Esq. Sir Joseph Williamson. Francis Willughby Esq. John Winthrop Esq. Robert Witty M. D.
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669) VIPRERA CAUDI-SONA Americana, Or the Anatomy of a Rattle-Snake, Dissected at the Repository of the Royal Society in January 1682. by Edw. Tyson M.D. Coll. Med. Lond. Cand. & R. S. Soc.
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669) I. LVMBRICVS LATVS, or a Discourse read before the Royal Society of the Joynted Worm, wherein a great many Mistakes of former Writers concerning it, are remarked; its Natural History from more exact observations is attempted: and the whole urged, as a Difficulty against the Doctrine of Univocal Generation: by Edward Tyson M.D. Col. Med. Lond. nec non Reg. Societ. Soc.
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669) Tajacu seu Aper Mexicanus Moschiferus, or the Anatomy of the Mexico Musk-Hog, &c. [By the Learned and Ingenious Edward Tyson M. D. Fellow of the College of Physicians and of the Royal Society.]
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669)
A Remarkable Account of a Liver, appearing Glandulous to the Eye; communicated by Mr John Brown, Chirurgeon of St Thomas Hospitall in Southwark; in a Letter to one of the Secretarys of the Royal Society. SIR,

I SendI send you here the figure of the Liver of an Hydropical Person, a Patient of our Hospitall, (as it was accurately taken by Mr Faithorn,) which I thought so curious as to be worthy the notice of the Royal Society, and therefore have presumed to communicate it to you.

The Person was about 25 years of age, a Soldier in one of his Majesty's Regiments here in Town; who contracted his distemper by drinking much water, when he could not stirr from his duty, and catching cold at nights in being upon the guard: He was under the care of our Physicians for some time, by whose directions his swellings did by times abate; but afterwards it was observed, that the method which had been beneficiall to others, had not here the like success, his swellings returning upon him as before; so that there was nothing more now to be thought of, but a Paracenthesis; which operation however we judged very hazardous, by reason of the time of the year; and for that the Patient was very much emaciated; yet he being so much swell'd, that it was uneasy to him to ly in his bed, he importun'd us very often, and with great earnestness, that the Operation might be performed. Whereupon we taking Hippocrates rule, In casu ancipiti præstat Remedium anceps, quam nullum; and thinking it better to attempt a cure that might be but barely possible, then to abandon him to the certain expectation [1267] of death; a Paracenthesis by the Physicians consent and directions, was made by me the fourteenth of November last part, whereby we drew from the Patient about 3 pints of Brinish Liquor, and within 4 days after as much more, the next day morning he dyes, and his death as was found upon dissection, was partly occasioned by a mortification upon his Scrotum and Penis.

This Operation was performed to the satisfaction of the Physicians and Chirurgeons that saw it, and by it the Patient had some ease for the present.

Upon opening the body, I believe I took out about 24 quarts of water; he had a large inflammation upon the Peritonæum; all his other inward parts not much disaffected, except the Liver; which now I am going to describe to you.

Its magnitude was not extraordinary, but rather seemed less then usuall, but that which was very remarkable (and I think the like case scarce ever observed by any Author,) and seems much to confirm the opinion of the Learned Malpighius, is this; It consisted in its concave, convex, and inward parts of glands, which (with the Vessels) made up the whole substance thereof; these glands contained a yellowish Ichor, like so many Pustulæ, and was I suppose part of the bilious humor lodged in the same, tho otherwise the Liver between the glands was of its usuall reddish colour. In the bladder of Gall, we found a soft friable stone, but otherwise nothing considerable further in that part. The Liver was opened before the Physicians of our Hospitall Dr Dawkins, and Dr Briggs, as also Dr Tyson, and others who had the curiosity to see it; at which place Mr Faithorn was likewise, who then took that draught which I now present to you; so that this being attested by so good Judges, I need add no more but that this case by them all was thought worthy to [1268] be presented to your excellent Society, which therefore at their request I have adventured to do, hoping you will favourably interpret this presumption of,

December 15th 1685. London. Sir, Your faithfull Servant J. BROWNE.
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669) Carigueya, seu Marsupiale Americanum. OR The Anatomy of an Opossum, dissected at Gresham-College by Edw. Tyson, M.D. Fellow of the College of Physicians, and of the Royal Society, and Reader of Anatomy at the Chyrurgeons-Hall, in London.