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Flyer for the celebration
Photos courtesy of Nicola Tamilla |
March 31, marked 220 years since the birth of Cav. Dr. Pietro Ramaglia, professor, clinician, anatomist, pathologist, diagnostician, personal doctor of King Ferdinando II, councilman of the city of Naples, and director of the celebrated scientific magazine Il Morgagni. He was born in Ripabottoni, Molise in 1802. A true scientist of our land, he created in the Hospital of Loreto Mare a museum of anatomical pathological pieces. Among the few existing during that era in Europe, the museum was greatly appreciated by the foreign doctors who frequently visited Naples.  |
| Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta |
Dr. Ramaglia was an advocate of a “diagnostic method,” the basis of modern medicine, which was described and published by his disciple, Dr. Domenico Capozzi. His most important work, Notomia topografica, was published in 1840. An indispensable companion for surgeons and clinicians in need of knowing the regions in which to operate on, it was the first text on the subject printed in Italy.  |
| The church's sanctuary and high altar |
In celebration of his birthday, the town of Ripabottoni honored him with a solemn Mass in the splendid Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The Mass was concelebrated by Bishop, Mons. Gianfranco De Luca, the parish pastor Don Gabriele Tamilia, and the vice-pastor, Father Antonio. |
| Bishop, Mons. Gianfranco De Luca |
Most Rev. Don Mauro Colarusso, Cav. di Grazia Ecclesiastico and Chaplain of the Abruzzo-Molise Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, and Cav. Gianfelice Mucciaccia were in attendance. Dr. Ramaglia was a Knight of this Order, having been invested with this honor in 1859 by King Francis II for the treatments carried out on his late father, King Ferdinando II. |
| Dr. Gabriella Paduano |
Mons. De Luca fondly recalled the figure of Dr. Ramaglia as a man who throughout his whole life lived as a true Christian. He knew no vanity; he aided those who lacked means; he dedicated every Thursday to the treatment of the poor; and he never accepted compensation for treatment to doctors or medical students, thus doubling attention and appointments for other sick patients. |
Most Rev. Don Mauro Colarusso, Cav. di Grazia Ecclesiastico
and Chaplain of the Abruzzo-Molise Delegation of the
Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George |
The Mayor, Orazio Civetta, underscored the honor of Ripabottoni at having given rise to the illustrious scientist. He was not ambitious, but rather he was humble and worked only towards the purpose of helping science. A beautiful soul, he is the St. Giuseppe Moscati of our Molise. |
| Cav. Gianfelice Mucciaccia |
Many administrators of neighboring communes attended, sensitive to the history and culture of our land. “Forming a team, overcoming provincialisms, which are always harmful, which result in clientelism, one may achieve positive objectives for our depopulated boroughs,” said Bishop De Luca. |
| Memorial wreath with portrait of Cav. Dr. Pietro Ramaglia |
Dr. Gabriella Paduano, a historian and native of Ripabottoni, also spoke at length to the participants about the life and work of Dr. Ramaglia. Dr. Paduano together with Don Gabriele Tamilia, the organizers of the event, are nearing publication of a book on the Ripese scientist, through attentive research of documents in large part never before published, which are preserved in the State Archives of Naples. ~ By Dr. Gabriella Paduano
