Paracelsus
(Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim became known as Paracelsus.)
Paracelsus (1493-1541) was an alchemist and physician credited with advancing the practice of medicine and founding the modern field of pharmacology. His thinking was revolutionary for its time, and he both profited and suffered for his originality. His unconventional practices included lecturing and writing on scholarly subjects in German (the language of the common people), rather than Latin,(the language of the educated eilite), and devising new treatment schemes using chemicals rather than traditional medical remedies, as well as openly scoffing at Galen's notions of the four humors along with other notions held dear to authority. He argued against the notion of authority altogether, and instead advocated observation, and research with empiric evaluation of results. He combined his own philosophy and religious beliefs into a system of medical practice that also incorporated alchemy.
Reportedly an immensely arrogant man, "he began using the name “Paracelsus” (above and beyond Celsus) rather than his real name (Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus Von Hohenheim) because he regarded himself as even greater than Celsus, the renowned 1st-century Roman encyclopedist and medical writer" (reference for quote: Nannapaneni R. Behari S. Todd NV. Mendelow AD. Retracing "Ondine's curse". [Journal Article] Neurosurgery. 57(2):354-63; discussion 354-63, 2005 Aug. UI: 16094167). He alienated other physicians by openly ridiculing their thinking, and accusing them of greed. On the other hand, he was altruistic and used his knowledge of alchemy to try to find cures to help others. He wrote: "No one requires greater love of the heart than the physician. For him the ultimate instance is man's distress. Privilege and lineage pale to nothingness, only distress has meaning."(reference for quote: Jacobi J, ed. Paracelsus: selected writings. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1958: 57).
"The word "bombastic" comes from his original name (of "Bombast") and is an ironic tribute to his aggressive and combative personality."(reference for quote:"Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim." World of Health. Online. Thomson Gale, 2006. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale. 2007. )
Early life
Born in Switzerland, his first training in medicine was apparently from his father, Wilhelm of Hohenheim, a physician. Wilhelm was said to be the illegitimate son of a prince.
At age 16, Philippus began to study alchemy, medicine, and philosophy at the University at Basel in Germany. These subjects would continue to fascinate him throughout his life.
Even then, when first attending University, he exhibited the characteristics that would typify him during later adulthood, he failed to show reverence for academic traditions and - dissatisified with what was available to him, soon left the University and began to travel throughout Europe. He continued his studies in many countries, including Germany, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Russia, attending many schools, but never finishing any formal course of training.
"Between 1513 and 1524 and visited almost every part of the known world. During his travels he compiled the wisdom present at the time on metallurgy, chemistry, and medicine, and the folk wisdom of the untutored." (reference for quote:Paracelsus." Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, 5th ed. Gale Group, 2001. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale. 2007.)
His service as a military surgeon in Venice likely exposed him to some of the teachings of the Arab physicians.
Medical practice
Paracelsus worked as he travelled and gained fame for his cures as a physician. He became the physician of choice for a wealthy and powerful clientele, "yet attacked repeatedly the rich in his political and theological writings, identifying with peasants and artisans" .
He ceased his constant travel and settled in Basel, in 1524, obtaining the chair of medicine at the University. Far from trying to get along with his professional peers, now that he had gained such a respectable position, he publically ridiculed established dogma: even making a show of burning the works of both Galen and Avicenna in a public square.
In 1525, he was arrested in Salzburg during an uprising that was part of the Great Peasants War. He left the city and continued travelling, apparently never remaining at any one place for more than about two years (reference: Gravenstein JS. Paracelsus and his contributions to anesthesia. [Gravenstein JS. Paracelsus and his contributions to anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 26(6):805-11, 1965 Nov-Dec. UI: 5320896).
Death
Many sources state that his death was natural, but that there were rumors of poisoning by his fellow physicians, and also of being pushed off a height or incline.
Although in life Paracelsus showed "aversion to any form of religion" (see external link), a clause in his will gave directions for a requiem Mass [1]
Contributions to the advance of medicine
Surgery
"Among his scientific and medical contributions was the advocacy of clean, near-aseptic surgical technique and opposition to the use of boiling oil for cleansing gunshot wounds". (reference for quote: Romanovsky AA. Paracelsus on wound treatment.[comment]. [Biography. Comment. Historical Article. Letter] Lancet. 354(9193):1910, 1999 Nov 27. UI: 10584756)
Pharmacology
Along with Valerius Cordus , he is credited as having first used ether (ref: Gravenstein JS. Paracelsus and his contributions to anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 26(6):805-11, 1965 Nov-Dec. UI: 5320896. ). Paracelsus describes a distillation method that would yield a mixture containing ether, and advises its use for epilepsy.
Publications by Paracelsus
Grosse Wund Artzney von allen Wunden (1536)
External Links
University of Zurich, Institute and Museum for the History of Medicine: The Zurich Paracelsus Project [2]
National Library of Medicine (USA) 3 American Exhibits: The Hahnemann University Library, The National Library of Medicine, and The Washington University Medical Library (St. Louis). [3]