Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Willem Vrolik on cyclopia

  • Published:
Documenta Ophthalmologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the founders of the Museum Vrolikianum, Professor Willem Vrolik (1801–1862), was very interested in teratology, especially in a congenital malformation termed cyclopia. In 1834 he published a paper on cyclopia. This work was mainly based on studies of cyclopic specimens present in the collection of his father, Professor Gerardus Vrolik. In this study he proposed a classification system for cyclopes, in which he divided them into five main types. This study also formed the basis for the chapters on cyclopia in his Handbook of pathological anatomy (1842–1844) and his Tabulae ad illustrandam embryogenesin hominis et mammalium (1844–1849). In these studies the specimens of cyclopes of man and mammals, still present in the collection of the Museum Vrolik in the Department of Anatomy and Embryology of the University of Amsterdam, were described and illustrated with beautiful lithographs. The collection consists of five human cyclopes and nineteen other cyclopic mammals. These mammals are pigs, lambs and a cat.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hamilton WJ, Boyd JD, Mossman HW. Human embryology: Prenatal development and function. Cambridge: W Heffer & Sons, 1966: 369–370.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Duke-Elder S. System of ophthalmology, Vol. III: Normal and abnormal development, Part 2: Congenital deformities. London: Kimpton, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Beins JFA. Misvorming en verbeelding. MD Thesis. University of Groningen. Amsterdam: van Oorschot, 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Warkany J. History of teratology. In: Wilson JG, Clarke Fraser F, eds. Handbook of teratology, Vol. 1: General principles and etiology. New York: Plenum Press, 1977: 3–45.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Schwab G. Die schönsten Sagen des klassischen Altertums. Reutlingen: Ennslin und Laiblin Verlag, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Popp H. Mythologie und Pathologie. Die medizinische Welt. 1939; 13: 431.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Regnault F. Les origines de la tératologie. Paris: Le Naturaliste, juillet 15, 1901.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Schatz F. Die griegischen Götter und die menschlichen Missgeburten. Wiesbaden: JF Bergman, 1901.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Dacqué E. Urwelt Sage und Menschheit. München, 1925.

  10. Wendt H. Die Entdeckung der Tiere. München: Christian Verlag, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Taruffi C. Storia della teratologia. Bologna: Regia Typografla, 1881–1894; Vol 3: 365–388.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Schumacher GH, Gill H, Gill H. Zur Geschichte angeborener Fehlbildungen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Doppelbildungen, 2: Vom 18 bis 20 Jahrhundert. Anat Anz 1987; 164: 291–303.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire I. Histoire générale et particuliére des anomalies de l'organisation chez l'homme et des animaux, 3 Vols and Atlas. Paris: Balliere, 1832–1837. Vol. 2: 423–424.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Baljet B. Willem Vrolik als zoöloog. Vakbl Biol 1983; 63: 214–217.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Baljet B. Willem Vrolik als teratoloog. Ned Tijdschr Geneesk 1984; 128: 1530–1534.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Baljet B. The Vrolik Collection. In: Blom P, Van de Berg T, eds. Out and about in Amsterdam. Amsterdam: Nederlands Theater Instituut, 1985; 40–47.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Baljet B. The Vrolik Collection. Actes du 3éme Colloque des Conservateurs des Musées d'Histoire des Sciences medicales 1988; 241–253.

  18. Baljet B. Uit de geschiedenis van het Museum Vrolik, de Snijkamer en het Theatrum Anatomicum te Amsterdam. In: Gids voor het Museum Vrolik. Universiteit van Amsterdam, 1990; 7–24.

  19. vd Hoeven J. Levensberigt van Gerardus Vrolik. Jaarboek van de Koninklijke Academie van Wetenschappen 1859; 116–134.

  20. Daniëls CE. Het leven en de Kerdiensten van Petrus Camper. Utrecht: JW Leeflang, 1880.

    Google Scholar 

  21. vd Hoeven J. Levensberigt van Willem Vrolik. Jaarboek der Koninklijke Academie van Wetenschappen 1863; 83–99.

  22. Jonckbloet WJA. Gedenkboek der Hoogeschool te Groningen ter gelegenheid van haar vijfde halve eeuwfeest. Groningen: Wolters, 1864.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Wedekind J. De Cyclopia. MD Thesis. University of Groningen, 1830.

  24. Vrolik W. Over den aard en oorsprong der cylopie [On the nature and origin of cyclopia]. Nieuwe Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk Nederlands Instituut 1834; 5: 25–112.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Vrolik W. Handboek der ziektekundige ontleedkunde, deel 1. Amsterdam: Sulpke, 1840; deel 2. Amsterdam: Sulpke, 1842.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Vrolik W. Tabulae ad illustrandam embryogenesin hominis et mammalium tam naturalem quam abnormen. Amsterdam: Londonck, 1844–1849.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Vrolik W. Teratology. In: Todd R. ed. Cyclopaedia of anatomy and physiology 1852; 4: 942–976.

  28. Dusseau JL. Musée Vrolik, Catalogue de la collection d'anatomie humaine, comparée et pathologique de M.M. Ger. et W. Vrolik. Amsterdam: WJ Roever Kröber, Tome I–V, 1864.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Nevin NC, Josephine AC. Illustrated guide to malformations of the central nervous system at birth. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Wright S. Eaton ON. Factors which determine otocephaly in guinea pigs. J Agr Res 1923; 26: 161–181.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Wright S, Wagner K. Types of subnormal development of the head from inbred strains of guinea pigs and their bearing on the classification and interpretation of vertebrate monsters. Am J Anat 1934: 383–447.

  32. Schwalbe E, Josephy H. Die Cyclopie. In: Schwalbe E (Hrsg) Die Morphologie der Missbildungen des Menschen und der Tiere. Teil III: Die Einzelmissbildungen. Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1913: 204–270.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bock CE. Beschreibung eines atypischen Cyclops. Klin Mbl Augenheilk 1989; 27: 508–513.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Beauchamp GR, Knepper PA. Derivates of the neural crest and their pathology. J ped Ophthalmol and Strab 1984; 21: 209–214.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Nomina Embryologica, 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1989.

  36. Kalter H. Teratology of the central nervous system. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Embryology and Museum Vrolik, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    B. Baljet

  2. The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    F. van der Werf & A. J. Otto

Authors
  1. B. Baljet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. van der Werf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. J. Otto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baljet, B., van der Werf, F. & Otto, A.J. Willem Vrolik on cyclopia. Doc Ophthalmol 77, 355–368 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00156976

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00156976

Key words

Search

Navigation