The International Society for the History of Pharmacy was founded 1926.
Hygiene Series 2:
A Remedy against Catarrh, Germany 1675
from "Arzneibuch", MS 990, f. 229v, Wellcome Library, London
Steam inhalation, still in common use today, was long a popular and effective method of relieving coughs and catarrh.
As shown in this drawing, it consisted of inhaling relatively hot volatile substances obtained either by dissolving medicines in hot water and then inhaling the steak of it or, more rarely, by burning substances that had the power to dissolve catarrh.
The formation of catarrh is a natural defence of the organism and it occurs in abundance when the respiratory tract is exposed to prolonged interaction with micropowder and other allergic or toxic substances. It was a fairly common affliction, given the intense work schedules of pre-modern man.
The image is taken from the Arznaybuch Ms 990, a compendium of popular medicine and surgery, written in German and compiled for the use of a house of the Franciscan order, probably in Austria or southern Germany.
The manuscript contains a large number of watercolour illustrations, 15 of which are almost full-page, depicting operations, laboratories, pharmacies, medical and surgical instruments, chemical apparatus, including over 300 smaller pictures showing anatomical subjects, pathological conditions, injuries, etc.
In almost all the illustrations, the doctors and surgeons are dressed in the habit of the Franciscan Order: in a few cases, the patients are either monks or nuns, also dressed in the same habit.
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Tacuina Sanitatis Series 4:
The Uses of Betonica Officinalis
from Pseudo Dioscorides, "De herbis masculinis et femininis", MS Vault 18, f. 6, Yale Cushing-Withey Library, Yale University.
"Betonica officinalis", also known as Stachys officinalis, has been a widely used plant from antiquity through to the Renaissance and beyond. The term 'stachys' comes from Greek, meaning 'an ear of grain,' which reflects the spike-like shape of its inflorescence. Pliny the Elder in his "Natural History" (Book 25, Chapter 8, Paragraph 46, Section 84) mentions the plant as "betonica" and "vettonica," indicating its medicinal use by the Vettones.
Historically, betonica was believed to have been discovered by the god Asclepius. It was used for treating head injuries, headaches, teary eyes, and bladder problems. It was also thought to repel ghosts.
The manuscript "De herbis masculinis et femininis" is a medieval text attributed to Pseudo-Dioscorides, dating from the twelfth century. It classifies plants into male and female categories based on their perceived medicinal qualities and uses. The text reflects the medicinal and botanical knowledge of the era, blending traditional Dioscoride's content with local plant lore and practical medical applications.
The gender classification likely draws on ancient theories about the natural properties of plants, suggesting that male plants are stronger and more active, while female plants are milder and more passive.
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François Ledermann, Präsident der Stiftung HBSP hatte die Ehre, das Vorwort für dieses Werk zu verfassen. Das von der derzeitigen Präsidentin der Rumänischen Gesellschaft für Geschichte der Pharmazie, Prof. Adriana Taerel, verfasste dreisprachige Album (Rumänisch, Englisch, Französisch), das reichlich mit farbigen Abbildungen versehen ist, zeichnet anhand der Bukarester Sammlungen zur Geschichte der Pharmazie die Vergangenheit unseres Berufsstandes in Rumänien nach. So findet man hier den akademischen Werdegang von zwei kosmopolitischen Persönlichkeiten, Carol Davila und Stefan Minovici, die als Schöpfer der Entwicklung einer autonomen Fakultät in Bukarest sind, aber auch ein breites Panorama, das sowohl pharmazeutische Gegenstände aus der Vergangenheit - Töpfe, Mörser Waagen, Medaillen - als auch schriftliche Dokumente, zahlreiche Diplome, Pharmakopöen - die erste Ausgabe der Pharmacopoea Romana stammt aus dem Jahr 1862, und Archivstücke umfasst. Das Album versäumt es nicht, auf die erste Apothekerin des Landes hinzuweisen, Paulina Cruceanu, die ihr Diplom bereits 1892 erhielt.
#pharmaziegeschichte #apotheke #geschichte #schönedinge #rumänien #bibliothek #bibliophile #pharmacy #history #library #books #pictures
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PENICILLIN G SODIUM U.S.P 200.000 (120 MG) AÑO 1950. DISTRIBUIDA POR MERCK (NORTH AMERICA) INC. NEW YORK. USA
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