[Linnés pupil J G Wahlbom, physician and eye surgeon].

Johan Gustaf Wahlbom (1724-1808). One of Linnés first pupils, physician and eye-surgeon. Studied at Uppsala University 1744-51. Defended a dissertation pro exercitio, Sponsalia Plantarum under Linné 1746, swed.translation Blomstrens Biläger 1750. Dissertation pro gradu Ampherina catarrhalis under Rosen 1750. Studied anatomy, surgery and obstetrics in Berlin !752-53. - Provincial physician in the county of Kalmar 1754-94. Introduced inoculatons against smallpox and started one of the first hospitals for venereal diseases in the country. - A scientific dispute with OlofAcrel on cataract surgery aroused great interest. After a public demonstration ofWahlboms and Acrels operative skils,.the controversies were finally settled in a friendly manner. - By employing a rigorous hygienic regime Wahlbom and Anders Sparrman were able to stop a serious infectious disease in Karlskrona 1789. - In appreciation of Wahlboms scientific contributions in Botany and Medicine, Linné named a moth and Thunberg a new plant after Wahlbom. He was appointed First Physician to the King in 1794.