Dutch gynaecologist, art collector, librarian and writer on medical history.
Van Dongen studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). He became a physician on July 11, 1912. After his study on surgery in Bieleveld, he became an assistant of his adored promoter Professor Treub. His doctoral thesis (Dec 17, 1915) was on the pharmacological effects of the flowering plant “Erodium cicutarium” (redstem filaree, pinweed) in the stopping of uterine bleeding. Postpartum uterine bleeding is still a major cause of maternal dead. In 1956 he wrote Treubs biography: “Hector Treub, 1 Augustus 1856-7 April 1920 : z?n persoon en z?n arbeid”. He also wrote textbooks like “De vrouw in de overgangsjaren” (1932, The woman during menopause), “Handleiding b? de verpleging van gynaecologische patiënten” (1939).
He became a gynaecologist in Amsterdam, got a leading role in the Wilhelmina Gasthuis, later in the Binnengasthuis hospital. He wrote many articles on gynaecology and obstetrics in Dutch literature for doctors and nurses. As a doctor he was conservative, honouring the first Hippocratic principle: “I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgement and never do harm to anyone”. The do not harm principle made him cautious.
In 1949, three years before his retirement, he partly organised and solely wrote the catalogue of an exhibition of the Dutch Society of Medicine: “Catalogus van de schilder?en, tekeningen, grafiek, sculpturen, penningen, boeken en handschriften, oude instrumenten en curiosa op de Medisch-historische tentoonstelling ter gelegenheid van het eeuwfeest der Nederlandsche Maatschapp? tot Bevordering der Geneeskunst in de Waag ; 7 juli-31 augustus te Amsterdam 1949”. It also contained his own collection of 17th century Dutch art.
In 1952, after being a physician for 40 years, he retired and concentrated on his hobbies of art and book collecting and writing on medical history and illness as depicted in the visual arts. Some book, articles and catalogues he wrote are:
“De bibliotheek van de Maatschapp?” (1952) and “History and character of the library of the Royal Netherlands Association for the advancement of Medicine” (Jan, 1954) as the librarian of the Dutch Society of Medicine.
“Catalogue (of) human and animal fertility and sterility in history and art” (1959) for an exhibition in the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam” (June 6 to 14, 1959).
“The Role of the Netherlands in the Evolution of Medicine (Journal int. Coll. Surg., 38, 1962, Sect. 1. ).
“De vooruitgang van de geneeskunde in onze eeuw” (1966, the advance of medicine in our century)
“De zieke mens in de beeldende kunst” (1967, Ill man as depicted in visual arts).
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