Lorenzo Manche'

Professor of Ophthalmology

Born: Floriana, 26/11/1846; died: 16/02/1921. Education: University of Malta; postgraduate studies in Ophthalmology in Paris (France) and London (UK). Qualifications: M.D. [Malta, 1868]. Career: Commissioned Surgeon of the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery responsible for the Garrison Eye Ward, Station Hospital, Valletta [Malta] [1875-83]; Government Health Service – appointed Ophthalmic Surgeon, Central Civil Hospital, Floriana [Malta]. University of Malta – first Professor in Ophthalmology at University of Malta [1888]; retired from Army 1901 and from clinical active practice in 1907, but collaborated subsequently with his son to set up the philantrophic Ophthalmic Institute of Malta until his death. Achievements: Lorenzo Manche` published numerous medical papers and articles in international journals. Published the textbook Ottalmologia in Quadri Sinottici [A. Pugliesevich, Malta, 1885] that presented information on causes, symptomatology and therapeutics of eye disease in tabular format. The book received international acclaim and was used by medical students in many European Universities for a great number of years. Through public education, advocated personal hygiene for disease prevention and published for this purpose Istruzioni popolari per difendersi dal Trachoma [Malta, 1907]; It-Trobbija tat-Tfal jeu tuissijet ghall ommijiet [ProInfantia, Malta, 1907] and Mard l Ghajnejn f'it-Trabi [Moghdija taz-Zmien series No. 110, Malta, 1911]. Lorenzo Manche represented Great Britain at the VI<sup>th</sup> International Congress of Ophthalmology [Milan, September 1800] where he was nominated to serve as secretary and read a paper entitled Commotion Retinique. He was awarded the P.E.P. by Pope Pius XI for his contribution in the organization of the 1913 International Eucharistic Congress. Also contributed in the social field and in 1919 was chosen to represent the Societa` Economica Agraria and the Unione Cattolica San Giuseppe at the National Assembly.
References: L. Borg Manche': The Ophthalmic Institute of Malta. The Manche's philanthropic strategy to combat the spread of Trachoma in Malta. The author, Malta, 1993; Portraits at the Medical School. Maltese Medical Journal, 1995, VII[2]:p.58; C. Savona-Ventura: Manche', Lorenzo. Maltese biographies of the twentieth century [eds. M.J. Schiavone; L.J. Scerri]. PIN, Malta, 1997, p.382.