Portrait of Thomas Bartholin the Elder (1616-80), Danish physician, anatomist and mathematician. Bartholin described the human lymphatic system independently of Rudbeck. He described cerebral abscesses, pancreatic tumours and the pericardium which encloses the heart. He also studied the capillary system and defended Harvey's theory that blood circulated around the body. As physician to the Danish king, Bartholin reformed his country's medical system. He also produced his country's first pharmacological book and scientific journal. Printed in 1656 by Jonas Suyderhof after a painting by Karl van Mander.