Early Dutch contributions on Peyronie's disease

Long before De la Peyronie's description of three cases of plastic induration and curvature of the penis (1743) the disorder was already known. The Ephemerides (1687) and the rather scabrous booklet, Venus minzieke gasthuis (Venus Hospital for the lovesick)(1688), contain short remarks on this condition. Two extensive Dutch contributions -- not mentioned in the literature on this subject -- were written by Nicolaas Tulp (1593--1674) and Fredrik Ruysch (1638--1731). The first one is a case history, the second one is more general discussion with a fine engraving added. Treatment varied according to the various early authors. The therapeutic successes claimed must be seen in the light of the natural history of this disease: spontaneous improvement occurs not infrequently. To change the eponym 'Peyronie's disease', however, seems unjustified. It is an homage to François Gigot de la Peyronie (1678-1747) surgeon to King Louis XV and founder of the French Académie de Chirurgie.