Humanisme et savoirs du corps en Alsace au xviesiècle Médecine, chirurgie, pharmacopée

Abstract

Humanism is too often equated, even today, exclusively with ancient languages, literatures and philosophy. But from the point of view of cultural history, the enormous interest which that epoch showed in the human body and the knowledge linked with it was no less important.The present article takes as its starting point the works printed in Strasburg from 1497 to 1570 by some very active pharmaceutical dispensaries (U. Chrisman has drawn up a statistical summary). Although the free imperial city did not dispose at that time of a real university, it distinguished itself by the production of technically remarkable treatises in the fields of medicine, surgery and pharmacy. The high frequency of works oriented towards the needs of potential purchasers is testimony to the care taken by authors and editors to address all classes of society, including those citizens who could not read. Attention is paid in particular to the numerous ‘domestic pharmacies’ which targeted especially women. The conscious recourse to German, the dignity of which is constantly defended, as well as the stress invariably put on the need to speak to all members of the urban community, should also be given prominence. Both reinforce the thesis defended here regarding a commitment which privileges a collective ideal that promotes stability.