The role of science, specifically alchemy and medicine, are very important in the novel Dr. Potters Medicine Show. The significance of military medicine and alchemy in the novel will be examined, which strongly relates to the disciplines of medicine and science. Eric Fischl emphasizes the time period and cleverly uses fictional characters in the novel to give the reader an overall impression of science at the time. Elements of alchemy and war medicine are incorporated in Dr. Potter’s Medicine Show, which allows Fischl to portray the shift in scientific thought and advances made during the 1800’s.
At the time of the Civil War, military medicine was just beginning to improve. High mortality and infection rates made the advancement of military …show more content…
Today, alchemy is usually viewed as mysterious and mythical rather than scientific. Fischl uses this to strengthen the tone of his work, which is very dark and secretive. Fischl also uses alchemy to uncover the roots of modern day chemistry. “Before the end of the seventeenth century, the words "alchemy" and "chemistry" were used largely interchangeably; the restriction of alchemy specifically to gold-making is a late development (Newman and Principe, 1998, p.38). Alchemy and chemistry were not always as distinctly different as they are viewed today. When stripped of its secrecy and “magical” ideas, chemistry is at the core of alchemy. Many craftsmen such as: “bleachers and dryers, tanners, makers of paint and varnish, brewers, vintners, distillers, workers in metal and alloys and glassmakers” (Haynes, 1952, pg.268) use skills originally discovered by alchemists. The prevalence of alchemy in our society is often overlooked due to its negative connotation. In the novel, Dr. Hedwith uses experimentation, observation, and trial and error to make a discovery, which is the same process chemists use today. The role of alchemy in Fischl’s novel is primarily fantastical, but Fischl does include an accurate description of alchemy in “A Note on Alchemical History”, which allows the reader to make the important distinction between fact and …show more content…
Hedwith exemplifies the shift in mentality over time in regard to science. During the war in 1864, Dr. Hedwith has an optimistic view about war and medicine, despite the negative attitude of his colleague, Dr. Potter: “wars may be a terrible thing, yes, but you must admit they advance the course of surgery and medicine (Fischl, 2017, pg.123). Dr. Hedwith embodies the spirit for discovery and knowledge that was experienced by many scientists during this time. The current practice of medicine was insufficient, which drove people to discover new medicines and techniques to improve the situation. The Civil War was the beginning of rapid medical advancement, but it was the shift in thinking that allowed medicine to evolve so quickly. The scenes that take place in 1878 also demonstrate the same shift toward innovation. Alchemists conducted experiments, collected data, and analyzed results in search of something unknown to exist, and many spent their lives dedicated to their work. This dedication and optimism has allowed for many scientific discoveries to be made. If it weren’t for this desire to improve and gain knowledge, the course of scientific history would be negatively altered. Fischl uses Dr. Hedwith as a representation of the mentality of scientists during that
At the time of the Civil War, military medicine was just beginning to improve. High mortality and infection rates made the advancement of military …show more content…
Today, alchemy is usually viewed as mysterious and mythical rather than scientific. Fischl uses this to strengthen the tone of his work, which is very dark and secretive. Fischl also uses alchemy to uncover the roots of modern day chemistry. “Before the end of the seventeenth century, the words "alchemy" and "chemistry" were used largely interchangeably; the restriction of alchemy specifically to gold-making is a late development (Newman and Principe, 1998, p.38). Alchemy and chemistry were not always as distinctly different as they are viewed today. When stripped of its secrecy and “magical” ideas, chemistry is at the core of alchemy. Many craftsmen such as: “bleachers and dryers, tanners, makers of paint and varnish, brewers, vintners, distillers, workers in metal and alloys and glassmakers” (Haynes, 1952, pg.268) use skills originally discovered by alchemists. The prevalence of alchemy in our society is often overlooked due to its negative connotation. In the novel, Dr. Hedwith uses experimentation, observation, and trial and error to make a discovery, which is the same process chemists use today. The role of alchemy in Fischl’s novel is primarily fantastical, but Fischl does include an accurate description of alchemy in “A Note on Alchemical History”, which allows the reader to make the important distinction between fact and …show more content…
Hedwith exemplifies the shift in mentality over time in regard to science. During the war in 1864, Dr. Hedwith has an optimistic view about war and medicine, despite the negative attitude of his colleague, Dr. Potter: “wars may be a terrible thing, yes, but you must admit they advance the course of surgery and medicine (Fischl, 2017, pg.123). Dr. Hedwith embodies the spirit for discovery and knowledge that was experienced by many scientists during this time. The current practice of medicine was insufficient, which drove people to discover new medicines and techniques to improve the situation. The Civil War was the beginning of rapid medical advancement, but it was the shift in thinking that allowed medicine to evolve so quickly. The scenes that take place in 1878 also demonstrate the same shift toward innovation. Alchemists conducted experiments, collected data, and analyzed results in search of something unknown to exist, and many spent their lives dedicated to their work. This dedication and optimism has allowed for many scientific discoveries to be made. If it weren’t for this desire to improve and gain knowledge, the course of scientific history would be negatively altered. Fischl uses Dr. Hedwith as a representation of the mentality of scientists during that