Paracelsus

Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim became known as Paracelsus.

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Paracelsus (1493-1541) was an alchemist and physician who has been credited with founding the modern field of pharmacology. His thinking was revolutionary for its time, and he both profited and suffered for his non-adherence to convention. Those unconventional practices included lecturing in German rather than Latin, devising new treatment schemes based on chemicals, and openly scoffing at Galen's notions of the four humors. He used his knowledge of alchemy to try to find cures to help others rather than precious metals to enrich himself. "The word "bombastic" comes from his original name 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. At age 16, he 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, began to travel throughout Europe. He continued his studies in many countries, including Germany, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Russia.

"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.)

Medical practice

Paracelsus worked as he travelled and gained fame for his cures as a physician. 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 peers, he publically ridiculed established dogma, and even made a show of burning the works of both Galen and Avicenna in a public square.

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, a clause in his will gave directions for a requiem Mass [1]