Pedro Virgili facts for kids

Portrait of the surgeon Pedro Virgili.

Pedro Virgili (born Vilallonga del Camp, Tarragona, Spain, 1699 – died Barcelona, Spain, 1776) was a very important Spanish surgeon in the 1700s. He was known as one of the best royal surgeons for the King of Spain. Many people looked up to him, and he helped shape how surgery was taught and practiced in Spain.

Early Life and Training

Pedro Virgili was born in 1699 in a town called Vilallonga del Camp, near Tarragona, Spain. He studied medicine and surgery in two famous cities: Montpellier and Paris. These cities were well-known centers for medical learning at that time.

A Career in Military Medicine

After his training, Pedro Virgili became a military surgeon. This meant he worked in hospitals that cared for soldiers. He served in several Spanish cities, including Tarragona, Valencia, and Cádiz.

Founding Medical Schools

While working in Cádiz, Pedro Virgili did something very important. In 1760, he started the Royal College of Surgeons. This was a special school where new surgeons could get excellent training. He also helped create the Botanical Garden of Cádiz. This garden was used to study plants, which was important for making medicines.

Pedro Virgili believed that surgery should be a respected and scientific field. He worked with another important person, Jorge Juan y Santacilia, to plan a big scientific meeting. They hoped this meeting would lead to a national science academy in Madrid.

A medical journal from 1861 said that Pedro Virgili was like a powerful force for surgery in Spain. It noted that he helped surgery advance greatly by organizing separate schools for surgeons.

New Surgical Techniques

Pedro Virgili was also known for using a procedure called tracheostomy. This is a surgery where a small opening is made in the windpipe to help someone breathe. He used it to treat a severe throat infection called quinsy (a peritonsillar abscess). This procedure is also well-known for helping people with diphtheria, a serious breathing illness.

One of his most famous books was his Compendium of Midwifery. This was an important textbook for new surgical colleges in Spain, teaching about childbirth and care for mothers and babies.

Later Life and Legacy

Pedro Virgili passed away in 1776 when he was 77 years old. He left behind a great legacy in Spanish medicine. A military hospital in Barcelona, called Sanitari Parc Pere Virgili, is named in his honor. Also, the City of Cádiz and the Royal Academy of Medicine give an award in his name to recognize important work in medicine.