Portrait : Sir Luigi Preziosi : part I

Abstract

Luigi Preziosi was born in Sliema on July 29th, 1888, son of the late eighth Count Preziosi, Alfred Preziosi and of the late Filomena (nee Bonnici Azzopardi). He was educated at Flores College and then at the Royal Malta University (1904-1910), B.Sc. (1907) and M.D. (1910). Soon after qualifying he started the usual training at the Old Central Hospital. At first he was interested in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which in a sort of round-about way brought him into contact with Ophthalmology. The Maternity Department at the Central Hospital was next door to the Eye Department. When off duty Dr. Preziosi used to cross the courtyard to pay a visit to the ageing Professor of Ophthalmology A. Vassallo who was suffering already from failing vision. Soon he found himself helping the Professor and in a short time appointed assistant in the Ophthalmic Clinic. The next step was to proceed to the Ophthalmic Clinic at Rome Policlinic, where under Professor Cirincione, at that time very well known, he was able to obtain a good experience in eye surgery.