Kevin Chen
Mrs. Theo and Mrs. Blumm
Humanities 10
2 June 2015
From the Classical World to the Scientific Revolution: the Progression of Medicine Nowadays, individuals are frequently dependent on the remedies that medicine provides in order to maintain an overall good health and wellbeing. However, medicine was not always as helpful as it is in the modern day. From the ancient world to the Renaissance, methods to aid the sick were based primarily on false information that derived from both religious teachings and ignorance. However, as a new era of the Scientific Revolution arose, so did its ideals of empiricism, observations, and experimentation. The breakthroughs made by scientists and thinkers during the times of the Scientific Revolution …show more content…
Paracelsus, a German physicist and chemist, was arguably the first individual to initiate this change of outlook in the Western World. Although he predated the Scientific Revolution, Paracelsus did not fail to expand the lethargic framework of medicine into that of a modern one. He denounced Galen’s humor theory by publicly burning numerous expensive, Galenic-comprised medical books in bonfires. Correspondingly, he criticized the Renaissance methods of purging in order to restore homeostasis. Instead, he proposed that sickness was caused by “an imbalance of chemicals and essential minerals that were localized in specific organs”, and therefore chemical remedies and toxic substances would cure it (Streissguth, 2008). This radical thought was the first of its time, in the sense that he had turned against the Galenic standard that “contraries cure” and instead favored the principle that “like cures like.” He believed that the poison that was the root the disease could also cure an individual if distributed in a correct manner (Wear, 2000). These ideals developed by Paracelsus can be considered the bases of modern-day pharmacology. He also championed observation and experimentation as the keys to understanding the world around him, foreshadowing the ideals that embody the Scientific Revolution. Moreover, although he was criticized and named a “homicide physician” by his contemporaries, the German chemist’s theories were apparently effective; he had a strong reputation for healing many of his ill patients. (Spielvogel, 2011). His innovations were both revolutionary and ahead of his time, in the sense that they facilitated in the breakdown of the old Galenic theories championed by numerous physicians throughout the centuries and replaced them with a new, drastic, and effective system
Mrs. Theo and Mrs. Blumm
Humanities 10
2 June 2015
From the Classical World to the Scientific Revolution: the Progression of Medicine Nowadays, individuals are frequently dependent on the remedies that medicine provides in order to maintain an overall good health and wellbeing. However, medicine was not always as helpful as it is in the modern day. From the ancient world to the Renaissance, methods to aid the sick were based primarily on false information that derived from both religious teachings and ignorance. However, as a new era of the Scientific Revolution arose, so did its ideals of empiricism, observations, and experimentation. The breakthroughs made by scientists and thinkers during the times of the Scientific Revolution …show more content…
Paracelsus, a German physicist and chemist, was arguably the first individual to initiate this change of outlook in the Western World. Although he predated the Scientific Revolution, Paracelsus did not fail to expand the lethargic framework of medicine into that of a modern one. He denounced Galen’s humor theory by publicly burning numerous expensive, Galenic-comprised medical books in bonfires. Correspondingly, he criticized the Renaissance methods of purging in order to restore homeostasis. Instead, he proposed that sickness was caused by “an imbalance of chemicals and essential minerals that were localized in specific organs”, and therefore chemical remedies and toxic substances would cure it (Streissguth, 2008). This radical thought was the first of its time, in the sense that he had turned against the Galenic standard that “contraries cure” and instead favored the principle that “like cures like.” He believed that the poison that was the root the disease could also cure an individual if distributed in a correct manner (Wear, 2000). These ideals developed by Paracelsus can be considered the bases of modern-day pharmacology. He also championed observation and experimentation as the keys to understanding the world around him, foreshadowing the ideals that embody the Scientific Revolution. Moreover, although he was criticized and named a “homicide physician” by his contemporaries, the German chemist’s theories were apparently effective; he had a strong reputation for healing many of his ill patients. (Spielvogel, 2011). His innovations were both revolutionary and ahead of his time, in the sense that they facilitated in the breakdown of the old Galenic theories championed by numerous physicians throughout the centuries and replaced them with a new, drastic, and effective system