(Caspar), a learned physician and anatomist in the 17th century, was born at Malmö, a town in the province of Schonen, which then belonged to Denmark. At three years of age he had such a quick capacity, that in 14 days he learned to read; and in his 15th year he composed Greek and Latin orations, and pronounced them in public. When he was about 18, he went to the university of Copenhagen, and afterwards studied at Rostock and Würtemberg. He next set out upon his travels; during which he neglected no opportunity of improving himself at the different universities to which he came, and everywhere receiving marks of respect. He was in 1613 chosen professor of physic in that university, which he enjoyed 11 years; when, falling into a dangerous illness, he made a vow, that if it should please God to restore him, he would solely apply himself to the study of divinity. He recovered, and kept his word; and soon after obtained the professorship of divinity, and the canons of Roschild. He died on the 13th of July 1629, after having written several small works, chiefly on metaphysics, logic, and rhetoric.
(Thomas), a celebrated physician, son of the former, was born at Copenhagen in 1616. After studying some years in his own country, he in 1637 went to Leyden, where he studied physic during three years. He then travelled into France; and resided two years at Paris and Montpelier, in order to improve himself under the famous physicians of those universities. Afterwards going to Italy, he continued three years at Padua; and at length went to Basil, where he obtained the degree of doctor of philosophy. Soon after, he returned to Copenhagen; where, in 1647, he was appointed professor of the mathematics; and next year was nominated to the anatomical chair, an employment better suited to his genius and inclination; which he discharged with great fidelity for 13 years, and distinguished himself by making several discoveries with respect to the lacteal veins and lymphatic vessels. His close application, however, having rendered his constitution very infirm, he, in 1661, resigned his chair; but the king of Denmark allowed him the title of honorary professor. He now retired to a little estate he had purchased at Hagedeel, near Copenhagen, where he hoped to have spent the remainder of his days in peace and tranquillity; but his house being burnt in 1650, his library, with all his books and manuscripts, was destroyed. In consideration of this loss the king appointed him his physician, with a handsome salary, and exempted his land from all taxes; the university of Copenhagen also appointed him their librarian; and, in 1675, the king did him the honour to give him a seat in the grand council of Denmark. He wrote, 1. *Anatomia Capitari Bartholinii Parentis novis Observationibus primum locupletata*, 8vo. 2. *De Mysteriis in Natura & Medicina*, 4to. 3. *De Armillis Veterum, praeterea Datorum Schedion*, 8vo; and several other works. This great man died on the 4th of December 1680.
St BARTHOLOMEW'S DAY, a festival of the Christian church, celebrated on the 24th of August. St Bartholomew was one of the twelve Apostles; and is esteemed to be the same as Nathanael, one of the first disciples that came to Christ.
It is thought this apostle travelled as far as India, to propagate the gospel; for Eusebius relates, that a famous philosopher and Christian, named Pantenus, desiring to imitate the apostolic zeal in propagating the faith, and travelling for that purpose as far as India, found there, among those who yet retained the knowledge of Christ, the gospel of St Matthew, written, as the tradition affirms, by St Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles, when he preached the gospel in that country. From thence he returned to the more northern and western parts of Asia, and preached to the people of Hierapolis; then in Lycaonia; and lastly at Albania, a city upon the Caspian Sea; where his endeavours to reclaim the people from idolatry were crowned with martyrdom, he being (according to some writers) flayed alive, and crucified with his head downwards.—There is mention made of a Gospel of St Bartholomew, in the preface to Origen's Homilies on St Luke, and in the preface to St Jerom's commentary on St Matthew: but it is generally looked upon as spurious, and is placed by pope Gelasius among the apocryphal books.