Galen in Early Modern English Medicine: Case-studies in History, Pharmacology and Surgery 1618-1794
Jarman, Lisa Charlotte
Date: 30 September 2013
Thesis or dissertation
Publisher
University of Exeter
Degree Title
PhD in Medical History
Abstract
This thesis examines the influence of Galen (b. 129 AD) on medicine in England
between 1618 and 1794, approaching the study of his authority and the use of
his work through three case-studies: histories of medicine, pharmacology, and
surgery. The histories of medicine illustrate the variety of ways in which Galen is
referred to, ...
This thesis examines the influence of Galen (b. 129 AD) on medicine in England
between 1618 and 1794, approaching the study of his authority and the use of
his work through three case-studies: histories of medicine, pharmacology, and
surgery. The histories of medicine illustrate the variety of ways in which Galen is
referred to, both as a historical figure, and as an ongoing contemporary
influence. His importance in terms of accessing the knowledge of the ancients,
and as a fixed point in time around which to discuss the history of medicine, and
to situate other practitioners over a broad time period, underlines the
significance of his role within medicine. Similarly, the pharmacological texts
examined provide a more tangible sense of the influence of Galen, and their
varied, but formulaic structures enable specific remedies to be traced over time
and their corresponding associations and details compared between different
editions. Identifying the role of Galen within surgical treatises also allows for a
more theoretical aspect of surgery to be explored, providing a different
perspective on an area more frequently portrayed as a manual art. The use of
Galenic texts within each case-study, in particular the histories of medicine,
demonstrates a significant and nuanced engagement with the content of his
works, reiterating the importance of his contribution, and showing the value
ascribed to the simplicity offered by past approaches. It is evident that a shift
had occurred from the acceptance of ancient authority based on convention, to
evaluating the simplicity and utility of information on an individual basis. The
value ascribed to utility in the assessment of medical knowledge is evident
throughout these texts, which also demonstrate the importance of the
experience and observations of the practitioner in facilitating the ongoing and
significant use of the influence of Galen.
Doctoral Theses
Doctoral College
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