ABSTRACT
During the XVIIIth century systems and medical doctrines became so very numerous that it is rather a difficult matter to co-ordinate them. For example, at the very beginning of the century, three men appeared who may be regarded as forming a distinct group and as the forerunners of organicism. We refer to Lancisi, Hecquet and Baglivi. Organicism appeared with Lancisi at the very beginning of the century and later on it had as supporters Sénac and Morgagni, but its greatest light was Bordeu, who emerged somewhat after 1750. After them Stahl, Frederick Hoffmann and Boerhaave, though contemporaries, had no doctrinal unity, but nevertheless they represent an historical group.
