Biheron, Marie-Catherine (1719–1786)

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Biheron, Marie-Catherine (1719–1786)

French anatomist. Born 1719 in France; died 1786; dau. of an apothecary.

Studied illustration under Madeleine Basseport; became known for her skill at wax modeling (which was then used for medical instruction, especially in gynecology); received invitation to present work to academics at French court (1759); demonstrated working model of pregnant women in varying stages of labor to Académie Royale des Sciences (1770), which continue to consider her models as the best in their field as late as 1830; was regarded as a rival by Parisian doctors (though she was outside the official medical community). Some of her works were acquired by Catherine the Great for the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.