Joseph Demarco
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Joseph Demarco (1718–1793) was a Maltese medical practitioner, a scientist, and a major philosopher. His areas of specialisation in philosophy were mostly philosophical
psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both consciousness, conscious and Unconscious mind, unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feel ...
and
physiology Physiology (; ) is the science, scientific study of function (biology), functions and mechanism (biology), mechanisms in a life, living system. As a branches of science, subdiscipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ syst ...
. Demarco's extensive interests make him quite unique. Indeed, though his main concern was human health, this must be understood in the widest of meanings. He was fascinated by the mechanisms of the human body but also with its infirmities, especially within their psychological and social contexts. This brought him to be very much attracted to the philosophical underpinnings of the human condition in all of its aspects. Both his life and his writings are proof enough of this.


Life


Beginnings

Demarco was born on January 2, 1718, at
Cospicua Cospicua (Italian language, Italian) or Bormla (Maltese language, Maltese, ), occasionally also known by the Latin language, Latin name Cottonera, is a double-fortified harbour city in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region of Malta. It served as th ...
,
Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...
. This seaport and dry-dock hub was also a place where many different peoples congregated. More so since the then Grand Master of the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
,
António Manoel de Vilhena António Manoel de Vilhena (28 May 1663 – 10 December 1736) was a Portuguese nobleman who was the 66th Prince and Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem from 19 June 1722 to his death in 1736. Unlike a number of the other Grand ...
, had given free entry to the harbours to all nations. Fortunate enough to be born within a well-off family, Demarco was given a good education (including a solid knowledge of Latin), probably at the
Collegium Melitense The ''Collegium Melitense'' was a Society of Jesus, Jesuit college in Valletta, Hospitaller Malta, which existed between 1592 and 1769. Lectures at the educational institution began in 1593, and it moved to a Old University Building, Valletta, pu ...
of the Jesuits in
Valletta Valletta ( ; , ) is the capital city of Malta and one of its 68 Local councils of Malta, council areas. Located between the Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west, its population as of 2021 was 5,157. As Malta’s capital ...
,
Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...
. From an early age, his eyes were set on the medical profession, one highly regarded and very much encouraged by the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
. Already as a young boy, his medical intellectual curiosity drew him to speculate about the effect of atmospheric conditions on the human body, as his writing from 1733 (''De Aere''), at only fifteen years of age, attests. Of course, he was also very much interested in understanding physical illnesses, as his writing from 1741 (''De Tumoribus Humoralibus''), on swellings caused by liquid retention, shows. In addition, he was from an early age piqued by instances of pathological madness, common to congested urban areas as his home-town,
Cospicua Cospicua (Italian language, Italian) or Bormla (Maltese language, Maltese, ), occasionally also known by the Latin language, Latin name Cottonera, is a double-fortified harbour city in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region of Malta. It served as th ...
, was, and made some particular observations about the phenomenon (especially that caused by rabies) around 1742 (''Tractatus de Rabie''). However, during this formative time Demarco also entertained interests in other scientific areas. Still in his early twenties, around 1742 he engaged himself in speculations on standard
trigonometry Trigonometry () is a branch of mathematics concerned with relationships between angles and side lengths of triangles. In particular, the trigonometric functions relate the angles of a right triangle with ratios of its side lengths. The fiel ...
(''Trattato della Trigonometria Piana'') and elementary arithmetic (''Vulgaris Arithmeticæ Elementaris Theoria''), giving them also some philosophical depth. During the same period, he wrote short studies on
hydrostatics Hydrostatics is the branch of fluid mechanics that studies fluids at hydrostatic equilibrium and "the pressure in a fluid or exerted by a fluid on an immersed body". The word "hydrostatics" is sometimes used to refer specifically to water and ...
in general (''Breve Compendio dell’Idrostatica'') and on hydrostatic sources and technology (''Trattato de Fonti e Machine Adrostiche'').


France interlude

At just 24 years of age, in 1742, Demarco went to
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
to pursue a medical degree. Naturally, this was made possible by his parents’ financial resources. He studied at the
University of Montpellier The University of Montpellier () is a public university, public research university located in Montpellier, in south-east of France. Established in 1220, the University of Montpellier is one of the List of oldest universities in continuous opera ...
Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon (; ; ) is a former regions of France, administrative region of France. On 1 January 2016, it joined with the region of Midi-Pyrénées to become Occitania (administrative region), Occitania. It comprised five departments o ...
région France is divided into eighteen administrative regions (, singular ), of which thirteen are located in metropolitan France (in Europe), while the other five are overseas regions (not to be confused with the overseas collectivities, which have ...
of the south of
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
. In particular, he studied under the renowned physician and botanist,
François Boissier de Sauvages de Lacroix François () is a French masculine given name and surname, equivalent to the English name Francis. People with the given name * François Amoudruz (1926–2020), French resistance fighter * François-Marie Arouet (better known as Voltaire ...
. This is also attested by a document written by Demarco, ''Physiologie Cursus: Anatomico – meccanico – experimentalis'' (A Course in Physiology: Anatomical – mechanical – experimental; 1765) which originates from De Sauvages’ course on the subject. Demarco's writings during this period bear out to his professional and proficient stance in medical matters. In particular, one may note his investigations dealing with chest (''Tractatus De Morbis Pectoris'') and abdominal ailments (''De Morbis Abdominis''). In all probability, it was this dexterity and expertise which convinced his lecturers to trust him, from amongst his peers, with a course on physics (as his ''Traité de Physique'' attests). This must have been highly prestigious for the young freshman. Having completed his two-year course in medicine, Demarco defended his thesis in 1743. It was entitled ''Dissertatio Physiologica de Respiratione, ejusque Uso Primario'' (Physiological Aspects of Respiration and its Primary Significance). The work was published a year later, in 1744, at Montpellier.


Malta period

Demarco returned to
Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...
as Doctor of Medicine, but also with a keen eye on social affairs. It seems that his acquaintance with
Enlightenment Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to: Age of Enlightenment * Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...
philosophy while in France enhanced his sensitivity towards communal needs and societal acclimatisation. Nevertheless, throughout his long career he never directly involved himself in any political activity, not even when the French Revolution erupted on the European scene. His commitment was of a purely medical nature. And if every now and then he reached out into philosophical spheres, he always did this in strict relationship to his medical speculations. Demarco, in fact, did not seem sympathetic towards any revolutionary beliefs or objectives. On the contrary, he was a close collaborator and a personal friend of the Grand Master of the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
,
Manuel Pinto da Fonseca Manuel Pinto da Fonseca (also ''Emmanuel Pinto de Fonseca''; 24 May 1681 – 23 January 1773) was a Portuguese nobleman, the 68th Grand Master of the Order of Saint John, from 1741 until his death. He undertook many building projects, introd ...
, who immediately, on Demarco's return to Malta, chose him as Principle Medical Officer for the
Maltese Islands The geography of Malta is dominated by water. Malta is an archipelago of coralline limestone, located in Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea, 81 kilometres south of Sicily, Italy,From Żebbuġ in Malta, coordinates: 36°04'48.2"N 14°15'06.7"E to Ca ...
. His loyalty to the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
went unblemished throughout his entire life.


Professional career

Demarco's main professional asset was his sharp eye for observation. This is amply attested by the thirty-four works we have from his forty-two-year career in Malta after his return from Paris. All of his speculative reflections, including his philosophical ones, squarely rest on the authority of concrete experience and on pure sense data. Though highly proficient from a professional point of view, Demarco was consistently appealed by the theoretical foundations of the medical art and by the intellectual and academic relationships which particular illnesses suggested. As seen from his various works, he inquired into philosophy in general, social philosophy, physics, pathology (as he had in his youth), mechanical physics, experimental philosophy, philosophical physiology, science in general, and various other fields of an academic and rational nature. In 1788, when Demarco was 70 years of age (and already in poor health himself), the Grand Master of the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
,
Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc Fra' Emmanuel Marie des Neiges de Rohan-Polduc (18 April 1725, in La Mancha, Spain – 14 July 1797, in Valletta, Malta) was a member of the wealthy and influential Rohan family of France, and Prince and 70th Grand Master of the Order of St. J ...
, requested that he went to
Tripoli Tripoli or Tripolis (from , meaning "three cities") may refer to: Places Greece *Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in the Pelasgiotis district, Thessaly, near Larissa ...
, then an Ottoman province, to see to the health of the pasha there, who was gravely ill. This incident demonstrates the high esteem in which Demarco was held. Not only was the matter complicated from medical point of view, but also politically sensitive (having a Christian medic treated a Muslim leader). Fortunately, the mission was a success, and Demarco's standing was never as strong. While in
Tripoli Tripoli or Tripolis (from , meaning "three cities") may refer to: Places Greece *Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in the Pelasgiotis district, Thessaly, near Larissa ...
he continued to indulge his scientific and philosophical curiosity by making copiousness notes about the quality of the soil, the atmosphere, and also about local customs. He even took down observations about various illnesses and diseases, particularly (as was his passion) on the types of pathological madness he encountered there.


Death

On his return to Malta, Demarco showed serious signs of physical decline. The Order of
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
which he loved was fatally in trouble, not only because of the revolution in France, but also for its internal bankruptcy, corruption, and loose morals. It seemed that Demarco was passing away together with a whole age. He died at
Cospicua Cospicua (Italian language, Italian) or Bormla (Maltese language, Maltese, ), occasionally also known by the Latin language, Latin name Cottonera, is a double-fortified harbour city in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region of Malta. It served as th ...
, his home-town, on August 13, 1793, and was buried at the parish church at
Cospicua Cospicua (Italian language, Italian) or Bormla (Maltese language, Maltese, ), occasionally also known by the Latin language, Latin name Cottonera, is a double-fortified harbour city in the Port Region, Malta, Port Region of Malta. It served as th ...
.


Published works

Demarco's published works are just a handful. They are the following. While the latter three are of some interest to philosophy, the first is of a medical interest only. * ''Dissertatio Physiologica de Respiratione, ejusque Uso Primario'' (Physiological Aspects of Respiration and its Primary Significance; written in 1743, and published in 1744). – The publication contains six chapters respectively dealing with the following: the organs of breathing and their strength; the nature and peculiarities of respiratory air; the function of breathing; the instruments of expiration, their powers, functions, and the reciprocation of this action; the phenomena of respiration; and the primary use of respiration. The work, which is made up of some 100 pages, and written in Latin, has little philosophical value. It was published by A. Rochard in Montpellier. * ''Tractatus Mechanicus de Non Naturalibus'' (A Study on Artificial Mechanics; 1748) – This book in Latin was published in
Avignon Avignon (, , ; or , ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the Communes of France, commune had a ...
,
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, by Francis Girard (Palateâ Sancti Desiderii). It bears the long subtitle: ''Qui est brevis explicatio mutationum, quas in humano corpore producuut Aer, Diaeta, etc. simul cum inquisitione in naturam et usum balneorum. Quibus præfixa est Doctrina Secretionis, pluribus in propositionibus'' (Which contains brief explanations on certain changes which occur in the human body because of man's environment and his ways of living, and so forth, the same as happens because of living in a natural environment u the use of baths. In which is added some teaching about the distinctions between animals, and also some distinctions). :The publication, which contains 402 pages, is beautifully presented with gilded edges. The material presented is extremely interesting and very detailed, and particularly relevant to philosophy. Basically it deals with the physical functions of human beings, particularly seen under the aspect of the natural environment. Demarco’s basic philosophy throughout the book is that, the more human beings are removed from nature and from natural living, the more they are susceptible to illnesses and, consequently, the more they move towards nature and live in harmony with it, the healthier they will be. :The book is divided in nine chapters. It opens with a preface, a warning to the reader, and a list of 22 proposition concerning the differences between animals. This part is based on the teachings of
Aristotle Aristotle (; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosophy, Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, a ...
. At the end, Demarco includes a separate study called ''Tractatus de Hepate'' (A Treatise concerning Hipatitis). :The nine chapters might be considered under two aspects. While the first five focus on the unnatural causes of physical malfunctions in humans, the last four concentrate on the effects that the environment and natural living have on the human body. The first five chapters respectively deal with the effects which an artificial environment have on the heart, on respiration, on the body, on the brain, and on body temperature. The successive four chapters respectively deal with the beneficial effects on the body which ensue from the natural environment, therapeutic baths, food, and drink. * ''De Lana'' (Concerning Wool; 1759) – This 367-page book was published in Malta at the printing press of the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
in Valletta. It mainly deals with the proper application of wool in well-being and sickness. This indicates that's Demarco's intent here was not merely technical. Indeed, the work is not exactly philosophical. Nonetheless, Demarco explores the connection between the industrial production of wool fabric and human living, and the relationship between the growth of wool and mechanics. The work bears the official approbation of Henry Ercole, amongst others, on behalf of the competent authorities. At the end of the book, Demarco also includes a separate study, which is the following: * ''De Chocholata'' (Concerning Chocolate; 1760) – The work is made up of three chapters over 28 pages, and carries the subtitle: * ''Dissertatio de Chocholata ejusque usu e abusu in medicina ubi inquiritur etiam: an potione cocholate jejunium ecclesiasticum frangatur'' (A dissertation on the use and abuse of chocolate in medical matters, and whether chocolate breaks ecclesiastical fasts). Despite the title of this work, which might be seen as frivolous, the study is a very interesting one, both from an historical and cultural point of view as well as from a moral approach. In Demarco's time, chocolate was a liquid product imported from beyond European shores, and whose precise nature was not yet known. The moral problems apparently created by chocolate consumption must have been very relevant at the time. In fact, the censors’ comments on the subject (including Henry Ercole are given importance by being placed on separate pages for clarity's sake. In his study, Demarco focuses on the medicinal usefulness of chocolate (its addictive substance, for instance), and on its moral aspect (whether it is a kind of sweet or simply a vegetation).


Extant manuscripts with philosophical interest

All of Demarco's manuscripts are held at the
National Library of Malta The National Library of Malta (), often known as the Bibliotheca (), is a reference library in Republic Square, Valletta, Republic Square, Valletta, Malta. It was founded by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc in 1776 out of the collections ...
in
Valletta Valletta ( ; , ) is the capital city of Malta and one of its 68 Local councils of Malta, council areas. Located between the Grand Harbour to the east and Marsamxett Harbour to the west, its population as of 2021 was 5,157. As Malta’s capital ...
, and still in their manuscript form. Though some interest in the man's activities and intellectual endeavours had always been kept alive amongst academics, little serious effort had ever been made to bring his scientific and philosophical accomplishments fully out in the open. The ones commented upon here are solely those which retain some philosophical interest. Of course, from a medical point of view all of his works would be relevant and worthy of thorough comprehension. All manuscripts are written in Demarco's typical minuscule, crammed and barely legible handwriting, which of course makes reading, transliteration, translation and study immensely difficult. This is one of the most pertinent reasons, amongst others, for which Demarco's intellectual enterprise remains unexplored completely unto this day.


Philosophy

* ''De Logica'' (Concerning Logic; ''c.'' 1760) – A work in Latin (with unnumbered pages) which bears the subtitle ''Prælectiones Nonnullæ'' (A Few Instructions). It seems to have been intended as an introduction to logic for beginners. * ''Atrium in Universam Physicam Experimentalem'' (An Introduction to Universal Experimental Physics; 1760) – This extant manuscript in Latin is incomplete and was left in draft form by Demarco himself. It is a commentary on the first book of
Aristotle Aristotle (; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosophy, Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, a ...
’s ''De Naturalibus'' (On Natural Things) or, in other words, on his ''De Sensu et Sensato'' (On Sense and Sensibility) of his ''Parva Naturalia'' (Brief Comments on Natural Things). What brought Demarco to commence this commentary was a new publication issued at
Avignon Avignon (, , ; or , ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the Communes of France, commune had a ...
,
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, of
Aristotle Aristotle (; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosophy, Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, a ...
’s work. * ''Varia'' (Miscellaneous; ''c.'' 1760) – Two Latin manuscripts which are together composed of 550 folios. They contain a colossal number of reflections in no order whatsoever. Herein Demarco simply jotted down any thought and musing as they came to mind. Very often is quite difficult to distinguish one from the other. At the end of the work, Demarco was considerate enough to include an index of contents. Obviously this was for his own use, as it is absolutely impossible to follow. * ''Generalis Philosophiæ Atrium'' (A General Introduction to Philosophy; 1763) – The main idea of this manuscript in Latin is to provide a general introduction to what Demarco calls ''philosophiæ experimentalis'' (experimental philosophy) and all its divisions. The work has 43 chapters organised under 13 titles. The extant manuscript also includes marginal notes added by Demarco himself. The content deals with philosophy by respectively focusing on its qualifications; its structure; its objectives; its initial history; its history after classical times; its development; its academic divisions; the growth of its schools of thought; its main themes; its results; important
Presocratic Pre-Socratic philosophy, also known as early Greek philosophy, is ancient Greek philosophy before Socrates. Pre-Socratic philosophers were mostly interested in cosmology, the beginning and the substance of the universe, but the inquiries of the ...
themes, and their meaning. The last title is reserved for some general comments concerning philosophy.


Social philosophy

* ''Epistola Dedicatoria'' (A Memorial Missive; 1754) – Text of an open letter in Latin supposedly sent from
Senglea Senglea ( ), also known by its title Città Invicta (or Civitas Invicta), is a fortified city in the Port Region of Malta. It is one of the Three Cities in the Grand Harbour area, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa, and has a popu ...
,
Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...
, on January 12, 1754, to Don Josepho de Dueñas, one of the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
in Malta. The 15-folio long letter is certainly of a historical and literary value. However, also is interesting for the fact that it reveals some of Demarco's philosophical aptitudes. * ''Delle Torture'' (Concerning Torture; ''c.'' 1750) – This manuscript in Italian had been left unfinished by Demarco himself. It is a very interesting study on the use of torture (common still in Demarco's day) from different angles. Nonetheless, Demarco stops short of expressing any moral pronouncement on the subject. * ''Mannarino'' (Mannarino; 1773) – This is another open letter dedicated to a personality in
Maltese Maltese may refer to: * Someone or something of, from, or related to Malta * Maltese alphabet * Maltese cuisine * Maltese culture * Maltese language, the Semitic language spoken by Maltese people * Maltese people, people from Malta or of Maltese ...
history, Don Gaetano Mannarino. This priest was actually a contemporary of Demarco. From February 1773, he organised a group of fellow priests who, eventually, took up arms against
Francisco Ximénez de Tejada Francisco Ximénez de Tejada y Eslava ( Aragonese: ''Francisco Ximénes de Texada i Eslava''; 13 October 1703, Funes, Kingdom of Navarre − 9 November 1775, Naples) was a Spanish knight who served as the 69th Prince and Grand Master of the Or ...
, the Grand Master of the
Knights Hospitallers The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...
, in protest for retracting some of their rights and privileges. The actual revolt of the priests took place on September 9, 1775. Nonetheless, Demarco's letter was written on October 22, of two years earlier. It still addresses some of the presumed issued which were being brought forward by the priests. Typically (and revealingly), in his missive Demarco sides with the Grand Master's point of view, and admonishes Mannarino and his collaborators for being so unreasonable and unruly.


Pathology

* ''Fasti: Morborum Melitensis'' (A Record: Maltese Infirmities; 1763–87) – An interesting document in which Demarco progressively recorded his thoughts and reflections. The manuscript, which is composed of 296 folios, is reserved for observations concerning infirmities of the body and also of the soul. Some entries are of philosophical interest. The document opens with a Latin preface, and closes with a Latin epilogue and, finally, 50 aphorisms. * ''Physiologie Cursus: Anatomico – meccanico – experimentalis'' (A Course in Physiology: Anatomical – mechanical – experimental; 1765) – A study in Latin which deals with various aspects of physiology. Though the mechanistic concept of the body and of creation is accepted as basic, Demarco produces some objections and discussions for the acknowledgement of its absolute validity. * ''Patologicus Brevis Cursus'' (A Short Course in Pathology; 1774) – A work in Latin which goes into the nature of mental illnesses. The content is divided in 222 parts.


Philosophical physiology

* ''Tractatus de Rabie'' (A Treatise concerning
Rabies Rabies is a viral disease that causes encephalitis in humans and other mammals. It was historically referred to as hydrophobia ("fear of water") because its victims panic when offered liquids to drink. Early symptoms can include fever and abn ...
; ''c.'' 1742) – This Latin composition is made up of only 23 folios. The content, which does not include any internal divisions, was the work of a young Demarco probably before studying in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
. It largely focuses on the nature of anger, especially from a physiological point of view. Nevertheless, Demarco also sees it fit to touch upon some philosophical themes here and then. * ''Tractatus de Affectione'' (A Treatise on the Passions; 1764) – The main theme of this manuscript in Latin is the passions which overcome humans when their freedom of will becomes wanting. The work, which is made up of 76 folios, is divided in subtitles. At the end it includes an index of contents.


Science

* ''Trattato della Trigonometria Piana'' (A Treatise concerning Standard
Trigonometry Trigonometry () is a branch of mathematics concerned with relationships between angles and side lengths of triangles. In particular, the trigonometric functions relate the angles of a right triangle with ratios of its side lengths. The fiel ...
; 1742) – The work bears the subtitle: ''Con un breve saggio della Geometria Practica'' (With a brief study concerning Practical Geometry). The manuscript is made up of 212 folios, and written in Italian. The content is divided in Explications, Definitions (meaning concepts), and Propositions (including examples). The work is basically about flat triangles as distinguishable from spherical triangles. * ''Vulgaris Arithmeticæ Elementaris Theoria'' (A Common Theory of Elementary Arithmetic; ''c.'' 1742) – This manuscript in Latin is made up of 58 folios, and divided into subtitles. Demarco focuses respectively on algebra, numerics, addition, and other arithmetic functions. An effort seems to have been made to make such an abstract subject understandable by non-professionals. * ''Traité de Physique'' (A Treatise concerning the Human Body; 1745)''Ibid.'', vol. II, p. 97; NLM, MS. 36#6. – Notes in French of a course given by Demarco at the
University of Montpellier The University of Montpellier () is a public university, public research university located in Montpellier, in south-east of France. Established in 1220, the University of Montpellier is one of the List of oldest universities in continuous opera ...
while terminating his studies there. The content is divided in Subtitles and Sections. Of course, it deals with various aspects of the physical constitution of human beings.


Other dated manuscripts

The following manuscripts are not considered to have any philosophical purport. Of course, they might have significant medical relevance. Nevertheless, as such they do not concern the main interest of this page. They are thus remained without comment or analysis.


Medical

* ''De Tumoribus Humoralibus'' (Concerning the Swelling by Liquid Retention; 1741) * ''Tractatus De Morbis Pectoris'' (A Treatise concerning Chest Ailments; 1745) * ''De Morbis Abdominis'' (Concerning Abdominal Ailments; 1745) * ''De Voce Sana et Morbosa'' (Concerning Healthy and Sick Voices; 1747) * ''Tractatus in moltiplicis Vene Sectionis'' (A Treatise on the various Vein Surgeries; 1747) * ''Del Fegato e De Polmone'' (Concerning
Asthma Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wh ...
and Concerning the Lungs; 1747) * ''Commentarius in Sylvam'' (A Commentary on Sylva; 1748–60) * ''De Restenosis'' (Concerning
Restenosis Restenosis is the recurrence of stenosis, a narrowing of a blood vessel, leading to restricted blood flow. Restenosis usually pertains to an artery or other large blood vessel that has become narrowed, received treatment to clear the blockage, and ...
; 1755) * ''De Febribus Acutis'' (Concerning High Fevers; 1756) * ''Tractatus de Multiplicis Venæ Sectionis'' (A Treatise on the various Vein Surgeries; 1756) * ''De Hydrope'' (Concerning
Hydrops fetalis Hydrops fetalis or hydrops foetalis is a condition in the fetus characterized by an accumulation of fluid, or edema, in at least two fetal compartments. By comparison, hydrops allantois or hydrops amnion is an accumulation of excessive fluid in ...
; 1759) * ''Dell’Osteologia'' (Concerning
Osteology Osteology () is the scientific study of bones, practiced by osteologists . A subdiscipline of anatomy, anthropology, archaeology and paleontology, osteology is the detailed study of the structure of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, microbone mo ...
; 1764) * ''De Angiologia'' (Concerning
Angiology Angiology (from Greek , ''angeīon'', "vessel"; and , ''-logia'') is the medical specialty dedicated to studying the circulatory system and of the lymphatic system, i.e., arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. In the UK, this field is more ...
; 1764) * ''De Secretione'' (Concerning Secretion; 1764) * ''Observationes de Morbis Cognoscitivæ Curandisque'' (Observations on the Knowledge and Curing of Diseases; 1764) * ''Historiæ Morborum'' (A History of Diseases; 1767) * ''Nevrologiæ Compendium'' (A Compendium concerning
Neurology Neurology (from , "string, nerve" and the suffix wikt:-logia, -logia, "study of") is the branch of specialty (medicine) , medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the nervous syst ...
; 1768) * ''De Integumentis'' (Concerning Bodily Coverings; 1768) * ''Tractatus de Voce Sana et Morbosa'' (A Treatise on Healthy and Sick Voices; 1776) * ''Therapeutica Nosologia Cutanea'' (The Therapy of Skin
Nosology Nosology () is the branch of medical science that deals with the classification of diseases. Fully classifying a medical condition requires knowing its cause (and that there is only one cause), the effects it has on the body, the symptoms th ...
; 1780) * ''De Myologia'' (Concerning Myology; 1781) * ''Tractatus Nosologia Vocalis'' (A Treatise on Voice
Nosology Nosology () is the branch of medical science that deals with the classification of diseases. Fully classifying a medical condition requires knowing its cause (and that there is only one cause), the effects it has on the body, the symptoms th ...
; 1781) * ''Materies Medica'' (Medical Matters; 1789)


Physics

* ''De Aere'' (Concerning the Atmosphere; 1733) * ''Breve Compendio dell’Idrostatica'' (A Short Treatise concerning
Hydrostatics Hydrostatics is the branch of fluid mechanics that studies fluids at hydrostatic equilibrium and "the pressure in a fluid or exerted by a fluid on an immersed body". The word "hydrostatics" is sometimes used to refer specifically to water and ...
; 1742) * ''Trattato de Fonti e Machine Adrostiche'' (A Treatise concerning the Hydrostatic Sources and Technology; ''c.'' 1742)


Other undated manuscripts

As those immediately above, these manuscripts do not command any direct philosophical interest. Despite their medical relevance, they are left without comment here since they do not concern the objective of this page.


Medical

* ''Dissertatio Academico De Febre'' (An Academic Dissertation concerning Fever) * ''Materia Medica'' (Medical Matters) * ''De Fria Rerrevea et Acrimonatis'' (Concerning Acute and Discordant Colds) * ''De Balvicis'' (Concerning Therapeutic Baths) * ''Riflessioni sopra la relazione del Ritrovamento Dell’uova di chiocciola di A.F.M.'' (Reflections on the essay ‘The Discovery of the Chocolate Bean’ by A.F.M.) * ''Critica contra Novum ductum Medullæ Spinalis'' (A Criticism against the so-called Newly discovered Duct of Spinal Bone Marrow) * ''Adnotamenta in Boerhaave'' (Notes concerning
Boerhaave Herman Boerhaave (, 31 December 1668 – 23 September 1738Underwood, E. Ashworth. "Boerhaave After Three Hundred Years." ''The British Medical Journal'' 4, no. 5634 (1968): 820–25. .) was a Dutch chemist, botanist, Christian humanist, and ph ...
) * ''Actuaria pro animadversionibus in auctoritatem Auglum et Sylva'' (Short Notes in Defence of the Notes concerning Angel and Sylva) * ''Prælectiones Medicæ'' (Lectures concerning Medicine)


Religious

* ''Esercizi di Pietà per tutti i giorni dell’anno'' (Holy Exercises for All the Days of the Year)


Appreciation

Joseph Demarco has rarely been considered holistically. Medical academics have concentrated on some of his works which deal with health issues, philosophers have focused on works which have philosophical significance, and classicists have directed their attention to one or two of his works which offer interesting Latin features. Notwithstanding, no comprehensive and wide-ranging study of the man, his times and his accomplishments has ever been made. This is direly wanting. As seen above, the larger part of Demarco's works are still in manuscript form, and this makes them impossible to be studied. Though the outlines of some of his work are generally identified and acknowledged, the greater number of his compositions remain unfamiliar and shrouded in obscurity. With regard to philosophy in particular, a systematic and critical study of Demarco is still to be done. In general, it cannot be said that his philosophy is known at all, not even in general. This must necessarily entail arduous of transliteration and translation which might well be daunting. Nevertheless, it seems that Demarco certainly merits such attention and consideration.


Dated works in chronological order

# 1933 – ''De Aere'' (Concerning the Atmosphere) # 1741 – ''De Tumoribus Humoralibus'' (Concerning the Swelling by Liquid Retention) # 1742 – ''Trattato della Trigonometria Piana'' (A Treatise concerning Standard
Trigonometry Trigonometry () is a branch of mathematics concerned with relationships between angles and side lengths of triangles. In particular, the trigonometric functions relate the angles of a right triangle with ratios of its side lengths. The fiel ...
) # 1742 – ''Breve Compendio dell’Idrostatica'' (A Short Treatise concerning
Hydrostatics Hydrostatics is the branch of fluid mechanics that studies fluids at hydrostatic equilibrium and "the pressure in a fluid or exerted by a fluid on an immersed body". The word "hydrostatics" is sometimes used to refer specifically to water and ...
) # ''c.'' 1742 – ''Tractatus de Rabie'' (A Treatise concerning
Rabies Rabies is a viral disease that causes encephalitis in humans and other mammals. It was historically referred to as hydrophobia ("fear of water") because its victims panic when offered liquids to drink. Early symptoms can include fever and abn ...
) # ''c.'' 1742 – ''Vulgaris Arithmeticæ Elementaris Theoria'' (A Common Theory of Elementary Arithmetic) # ''c.'' 1742 – ''Trattato de Fonti e Machine Adrostiche'' (A Treatise concerning the Hydrostatic Sources and Technology) # 1743 – ''Dissertatio Physiologica de Respiratione, ejusque Uso Primario'' (Physiological Aspects of Respiration and its Primary Significance''; published in 1744) # 1745 – ''Tractatus De Morbis Pectoris'' (A Treatise concerning Chest Ailments) # 1745 – ''De Morbis Abdominis'' (Concerning Abdominal Ailments) # 1745 – ''Traité de Physique'' (Treatise concerning Physics) # 1747 – ''De Voce Sana et Morbosa'' (Concerning Healthy and Sick Voices) # 1747 – ''Tractatus in moltiplicis Vene Sectionis'' (A Treatise on the various Vein Surgeries) # 1747 – ''Del Fegato e De Polmone'' (Concerning
Asthma Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wh ...
and Concerning the Lungs) # 1748 – ''Tractatus Mechanicus de Non Naturalibus'' (A Study on Artificial Mechanics) # 1748–60 – ''Commentarius in Sylvam'' (A Commentary on Sylva) # ''c.'' 1750 – ''Delle Torture'' (Concerning Torture) # 1754 – ''Epistola Dedicatoria'' (A Memorial Missive) # 1755 – ''De Restenosis'' (Concerning
Restenosis Restenosis is the recurrence of stenosis, a narrowing of a blood vessel, leading to restricted blood flow. Restenosis usually pertains to an artery or other large blood vessel that has become narrowed, received treatment to clear the blockage, and ...
) # 1756 – ''De Febribus Acutis'' (Concerning High Fevers) # 1756 – ''Tractatus de Multiplicis Venæ Sectionis'' (A Treatise on the various Vein Surgeries) # 1759 – ''De Hydrope'' (Concerning
Hydrops fetalis Hydrops fetalis or hydrops foetalis is a condition in the fetus characterized by an accumulation of fluid, or edema, in at least two fetal compartments. By comparison, hydrops allantois or hydrops amnion is an accumulation of excessive fluid in ...
) # 1759 – ''De Lana'' (Concerning Wool) # ''c.'' 1760 – ''De Logica'' (Concerning Logic) # ''c.'' 1760 – ''Varia'' (Miscellaneous) # 1760 – ''Atrium in Universam Physicam Experimentalem'' (An Introduction to Universal Experimental Physics) # 1760 – ''De Chocholata'' (Concerning Chocolate) # 1763 – ''Generalis Philosophiæ Atrium'' (A General Introduction to Philosophy) # 1763–87 – ''Fasti: Morborum Melitensis'' (A Record: Maltese Infirmities) # 1764 – ''Dell’Osteologia'' (Concerning
Osteology Osteology () is the scientific study of bones, practiced by osteologists . A subdiscipline of anatomy, anthropology, archaeology and paleontology, osteology is the detailed study of the structure of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, microbone mo ...
) # 1764 – ''De Angiologia'' (Concerning
Angiology Angiology (from Greek , ''angeīon'', "vessel"; and , ''-logia'') is the medical specialty dedicated to studying the circulatory system and of the lymphatic system, i.e., arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. In the UK, this field is more ...
) # 1764 – ''De Secretione'' (Concerning Secretion) # 1764 – ''Observationes de Morbis Cognoscitivæ Curandisque'' (Observations on the Knowledge and Curing of Diseases) # 1764 – ''Tractatus de Affectione'' (A Treatise on the Passions) # 1765 – ''Physiologie Cursus: Anatomico – meccanico – experimentalis'' (A Course in Physiology: Anatomical – mechanical – experimental) # 1767 – ''Historiæ Morborum'' (A History of Diseases) # 1768 – ''Nevrologiæ Compendium'' (A Compendium concerning
Neurology Neurology (from , "string, nerve" and the suffix wikt:-logia, -logia, "study of") is the branch of specialty (medicine) , medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the nervous syst ...
) # 1768 – ''De Integumentis'' (Concerning Bodily Coverings) # 1773 – ''Mannarino'' (Mannarino) # 1774 – ''Patologicus Brevis Cursus'' (A Short Course on Pathology) # 1776 – ''Tractatus de Voce Sana et Morbosa'' (A Treatise concerning Healthy and Sick Voices) # 1780 – ''Therapeutica Nosologia Cutanea'' (The Therapy of Skin
Nosology Nosology () is the branch of medical science that deals with the classification of diseases. Fully classifying a medical condition requires knowing its cause (and that there is only one cause), the effects it has on the body, the symptoms th ...
) # 1781 – ''De Myologia'' (Concerning Myology) # 1781 – ''Tractatus Nosologia Vocalis'' (A Treastise on Voice
Nosology Nosology () is the branch of medical science that deals with the classification of diseases. Fully classifying a medical condition requires knowing its cause (and that there is only one cause), the effects it has on the body, the symptoms th ...
) # 1789 – ''Materies Medica'' (Medical Matters)


See also

*
Philosophy in Malta Philosophy in Malta refers to the philosophy of Maltese nationals or those of Maltese descent, whether living in Malta or abroad, whether writing in their native Maltese language or in a foreign language. Though Malta is not more than a tiny Eur ...


References


Sources

* Mark Montebello, ''Il-Ktieb tal-Filosofija f’Malta'' (''A Source Book of Philosophy in Malta''), PIN Publications, Malta, 2001. * Horatio C. Vella, ed., ''Joseph Demarco: On the Passage of Air from the Lungs into the Blood System'', Malta University Press, Malta, 1999. {{DEFAULTSORT:Demarco, Joseph 18th-century Maltese philosophers 18th-century Maltese physicians 1789 deaths 1718 births People from Cospicua