Heritage of the Scuola Grande di San Marco in Venice and neuroscience

Hospital in Venice is dedicated to Saint John and Paul, since 1819 it occupies the ancient buildings of the Hospital of Saint Lazarus (San Lazzaro ai Mendicanti) connected with the Convent of Dominicans and of the Scuola Grande di San Marco. The Scuola Grande has a large historic and scientific heritage associated with rich archives (from 1194). A Library devoted to history of medicine consists of 18.000 volumes (ancient and modern, with volumes by Plinius, Hippocrates, Galien, Vesalius, Bidloo, Morgagni, Santorini) and remarkable equipment consisting of medical-surgical instruments of historic interest. We would also like to mention the historical pharmacy and pathological Museum “Andrea Vesalio”. In the same location, there is an outstanding artistic structure that had the assignment to provide ethical and care assistance. This activity continues today as the medical-scientific work holds up the tradition of the ancient moral and professional ethic which preached to care for the sick. The cultural heritage is increasing with acquisition of one hundred of ancient volumes related with neuroanatomy, neurosurgery and neuroscience belong of Massimo Collice (1945-2009), a neurosurgeon who worked in Milan. This heritage has permitted the involvement of the Scuola Grande di San Marco in the network the European Brain Museum (EBM) project, organizing a Neuroscience History Seminar in November 7th, 2015 supported by the FENS History Committee. Today the Great School of San Marco, heritage of the Azienda ULSS 12 Veneziana represents a cultural and museum centre of international high-profile with promotion of history of medicine and ethic, including on neuroscience.