Last time I introduced you to the history of Western Herbal Medicine up to Avicenna, whose book “Canon Medicinae” brought together information about the diseases, drugs and medical theories known to the Arab world. This text was first translated into Latin in the 12′h century, a Hebrew version appeared in 1491, and the Arabic text in 1593 – only the second text ever to be printed in Arabic.
It is after Avicenna that things become interesting as Europe entered the Rennaisance. Artist started to study human anatomy, and particularly the function of muscles and the ‘natural sciences’ started to develop. With this though, the old traditions started to questioned, and though no abrupt change of medical thought occurred, there was mounting criticism directed against Galen and Avincenna.
Paracelsus 1493-1541 AD, was one physician who vehemently rejected the traditional teachings of Aristotle, Galen and Avicenna. Paracelsus rejected the thought that disease was caused by an internal imbalance of bodily ‘humours’ or fluids, and that they would be cured by blood letting and purging, instead he assumed that disease attacks from without. Read More
