Alchemy As The Precursor to Modern Medicine Practices

In the early days of alchemy, many scholars doubted the authenticity and credibility of alchemy as a scholarly field of study. They labeled it as â€Å"mystical† and challenged greatly the possibilities of alchemical transmutations and any practitioner’s credibility. However, alchemy was still practiced and discussed in all levels of society. Alchemy has been discovered in recent times to have been central to the development of early modern science and medicine. The practice of alchemy has made many contributions to the development of modern chemical medicines. Alchemy was said to be the production of a new substance by experimenting and changing natural matters in a laboratory. These new products were regarded as artificial, as they did not occur naturally in nature (Pereira, 2000). Johann Friedrich Bà ¶ttger was the first European to discover how to produce porcelain through alchemical means when commissioned to make gold for the Elector of Saxony, August the Strong. Bà ¶ttger’s discovery proved how having knowledge of alchemy could prove to advantageous (Chang, 2007). Leonardo Fioravanti mentioned in his writings of having seen alchemical gold be made, but stated that the venture to create the gold was not productive enough to be of much profit (Eamon, 2000). Alchemy can be described in multiple ways. One way that alchemy is portrayed is as a â€Å"primitive precursor† for modern science and medicine practices (Bobory Rampling, 2012). The practical and experimental sideShow MoreRelatedAlchemy as the Precursor to Modern Medicine Practices778 Words   |  3 PagesChemical medicine originates from medical alchemy of the medieval period. Its nature was controversial and the acceptance and practice of chemical medicine caused problems with those who had strong ties with Scholasticism that rooted them in the Galenic tradition and made them wary of new practices and innovations. The fact that chemical medicine became quite popular thanks to the sixteenth-century Swiss doctor Paracelsus only increased the controversial nature. Paracelsus was well-known for hisRead MoreAstrology and Alchemy - the Occult Roots of the Mbti4990 Words   |  20 PagesBoard Psychologists and managers may be surprised to discover that the origins of the world’s most widely used psychometric instrument lie in pre-modern systems of knowledge. Astrology and alchemy – the occult roots of the MBTI by Peter Case and Garry Phillipson There appear to be no reputable investigations into the influence of astrology and alchemy on organisation and management, which is surprising given the continuing popularity of astrology. Aside from some research into how marketing executivesRead MoreBacteria As An Intermediate ( Jia Et Al. Essay1591 Words   |  7 Pagescontinuously stirred tank, and oxygen is supplied by bubbling air through the solution (Hromatka and Ebner, 1949). Employing modern applications of this method, vinegar of 15% acetic acid can be prepared in only 24 hours in batch process, even 20% in 60-hour fed-batch process (Hromatka and Ebner, 1959). Historical review of acetic acid has uncovered many primitive practices that involved the use and misuse of the compound and its derivatives. Martin, 1917 reports that ancient civilizations aroundRead MoreCompilation of Mathematicians and Their Contributions11615 Words   |  47 Pagesfavourite mathematician, Euclid deserves most of my kudos for laying down the foundation of geometry. II. Mathematicians in the Medieval Ages Leonardo of Pisa Birthdate: 1170 Died: 1250 Nationality: Italian Contributions: * Best known to the modern world for the spreading of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system in Europe, primarily through the publication in 1202 of his Liber Abaci (Book of Calculation). * Fibonacci introduces the so-called Modus Indorum (method of the Indians), today known as