Chemical Medicine and Paracelsianism in Italy, 1550–1650

Abstract

This chapter investigates Italian Paracelsianism and chemical medicine from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-seventeenth century, namely before the diffusion of Joan Baptista van Helmont's medicine in Italy. It charts chemical medicine and Paracelsianism into an institutional and intellectual framework and investigates the introduction of chemical remedies in Italy. Paracelsian views were adopted in contexts where interest in alchemy and practical chemistry was particularly strong, as attested by the Medici court in Florence. In Italy, like in other parts of Europe (Germany, England and France), court patronage gave substantial support to alchemy and promoted the diffusion of Paracelsianism. The early influence of Paracelsus in Italy was mainly associated with the introduction of new medicines, which were adopted by a number of distillers and apothecaries. It is apparent that by the 1640s Paracelsian medicine had gained momentum in Italy and that iatrochemical theories were being adopted by a number of Italian physicians.