Anatomical machines Anatomical machines The anatomical machines (Italian: "macchine anatomiche") are a couple of anatomical models reproducing the human circulatory system, exposed in the Cappella Sansevero in Naples. Realised in the second half of the 18th century, they are built on top of a couple of human skeletons, a male and a female. The reproduction of the vessel system was realised with metal wire, wax and silk, but because of its richness in details, for a long time it was believed that it was of natural origin instead. The models were commissioned by Raimondo di Sangro, prince of Sansevero, and realised by
John Banister (anatomist) John Banister (anatomist) John Banister (1533–1610) was an English anatomist, surgeon and teacher. He published "The Historie of Man, from the most approved Authorities in this Present Age" in 1578. He began his professional life as surgeon to the forces sent under Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick in 1563 to relieve Le Havre. On this expedition he and William Clowes, another surgical author, began a friendship which lasted throughout their lives. Some time after his return he studied at Oxford, and received a license to practise in 1573. For several years he practised both physic and surgery at Nottingham.