Jacob Nufer

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Jacob Nufer (* 15th century ; † 16th century ) was a pig cutter ( animal castrator ) from the Swiss canton of Thurgau . He is to around 1500 in Siegershausen the first caesarean section (cesarean) have performed, in which the mother, Elisabeth Alespach, the operation has survived.

Contemporary depiction of a caesarean section , woodcut from 1506

The midwives of this time knew the technique of caesarean sections, but until the early 16th century caesarean sections were only allowed to be performed on dead mothers. Saving the lives of the mothers and risking killing the children in the womb was strictly forbidden. When Jacob Nufer's wife had been in labor for several days and was apparently facing an agonizing death, her husband decided to undertake the life-saving procedure himself. Mother and child survived. The woman is said to have given birth to twins the next year - albeit in the normal way - and then another four children.

It is believed that Jacob Nufer acquired the anatomical knowledge necessary for the procedure by closely observing the cattle he worked with on a daily basis. Probably he was more knowledgeable about this than the doctors of his time.

Jakob Nuferstrasse was named after him in Siegershausen .

literature

personal data
SURNAME Nufer, Jacob
BRIEF DESCRIPTION performed first caesarean section
DATE OF BIRTH 15th century
DATE OF DEATH 16th Century