ORFILA, JosE BONAVENTURA, a celebrated physician and chemist., and the recognized founder of the science of toxicology, was b. at Mahon in Minorca, April 24, 1787. His father, who was a merchant, intended that his son should follow the same pursuit; but young Orfila showed so strong a predilection for the study of medicine, that all thoughts of a mercantile career for him were dismissed, and he was sent to the medical schools of Valencia and Barcelona. In the latter of these seminaries he so dis tinguished himself that the junta of the province resolved to defray the expense of his further education in Paris, on condition of his returuiug to Barcelona to fill one of the chairs in their medical school; and accordingly Orfila departed for Paris in 1807. The junta were prevented from fulfilling the agreement by the outbreak of war with France; but Orfila, who had now made many friends in Paris, was enabled to continue his studies. In Oct.., 1811, he received the degree of.doctor of medicine, and immediately commenced a private course of lectures on chemistry, botany, and anatomy, which was largely attended, and, along with his successful practice, soon rendered him famous. In 1813 appeared the first edition of his celebrated work on poisons, entitled Traite des Poisons tires des Refines Mineral, Vegetal, et Animal, or Toxicologie Generale (Paris). The work was commended by the Institute, and rapidly passed through a number of editions. In 1816, on the occasion of a short visit to Minorca, he met with an enthusiastic recep tion; and on his return to Paris became court physician. In 1819 he was created a Citizen of France, and became professor of jurisprudence; and in 1823 was transferred to the chair of chemistry, to which, in 1831, was .added the deanship of the faculty, His prosperity was now at the full; his lectures were more popular than ever; his works were reckoned as masterpieces; and he himself, by the geniality of his disposition and his many accomplishments, was a universal favorite in society. In all cases of suspected
poisoning lie was a most important witness. From 1834 he was a meniber of the Council of public instruction, and procured the passing of many useful measures, such as the creation of secondary medical schools and the multiplication of means of instruc tion and observation. He also organized the clinical hospital, founded a new botanic garden, and a museum of comparative anatomy, which is now known by his name. On the outbreak of the revolution of 1848 he was deprived of his place in the medical faculty on account of his conservative opinions, but retained his professorship. He dice. at Paris, Mar. 12, 1853. His great work on toxicology has gained for him undying fame; it is a vast mine of information, the result of the author's solitary indefatigable researches; and includes symptoms of poigoning of all kinds, the appearances in the body to which poisons give rise, their action, and the means for their detection. It ls well written, and exhibits the accuracy of language equally with the sound judgment of its author. His other works are not nearly so famous, partaking more of the charac ter of compilations: the chief of them are: Elemens de Chimie appliques a la ..lfecleeine (Paris, 1817; 8th edition, 1851); Trate de Medeeine Legale (1823-25; 4th edition, 1S47); Nemoires sur Pbusieurs Questions Medieo-legales (Paris, 1839); and Recherches sur l'empoi sonnement par l' Aeide Arsenieuw, etc. (Paris, 1841). He also contributed largely to various journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other periodicals. He has left a number of memoirs, which have not yet been published.