Paracelsus Research Articles

The Eightness of Adam and Related “Gnostic” Ideas in the Paracelsian Corpus

The Eightness of Adam and Related “Gnostic” Ideas in the Paracelsian Corpus

Browning's Sordello: The Art of the Makers-See

In 1835 Robert Browning, in search of a publisher for Paracelsus, wrote to the Reverend William Johnson Fox, “I have another affair on hand rather of a more popular nature, I conceive; but not so decisive and explicit on a point or two, so I decide on trying the question with this.” Since the “affair on hand” was Sordello, whose reputation for tortured syntax and obscure allusions still persists, one may well wonder what Browning meant by “popular.” The public found nothing difficult or strange in Paracelsus; although it did not appeal to the taste of the times, the praise of a few perceptive critics and readers showed that it was not totally ignored. Sordello, in contrast, struck a new note in the literature of the forties, a harsh dissonance which cut through the turgid harmonies of a decadent romanticism. Browning's poem, like Richard Wagner's music, sent the critics scurrying for shelter with their hands clapped over their ears. The notoriety of Sordello, which he conceived to be of “a more popular nature” than Paracelsus, haunted Browning for the rest of his life like that pungent, musky “after-gust” which he promised his readers in its concluding lines.

Paracelsus and his contributions to anesthesia.

Paracelsus and his contributions to anesthesia.

Paracelsus'S Two-Way Astrology II. Man'S Relation to the Stars

The preceding paper described how all-pervasive was the influence that Paracelsus designated ‘astral’. In what sense, then, is it true that he placed restrictions, on astrological powers? The restriction applies to the more limited and usual sense of astrology, referring to the control of events on earth by the stars in the sky. Paracelsus was not prepared to hand over our fates entirely to a distant autocracy of the stars quite beyond our control.

Doctor of both medicines.

It is customary for presidential addresses before surgical societies to deal with philosophical aspects of the profession and with the training of the young surgeon. The discourse is usually introduced with some quotation from the writings of the ancients and derives from it certain basic truths as applicable today as they were in ancient times. Not to be outdone by my predecessors, I, too, shall revert to the ancients for inspiration and shall take as my cue the signature of one of our professional ancestors whose true significance in medicine is still a matter of controversy. Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, otherwise and usually known as Paracelsus, remains today an enigma in scientific history, and the judgment, of the English-speaking peoples at least, has been, in general, unsympathetic to him. The theme of my discourse is taken from his signature—Beider Artznei Doktor, or, Doctor of Both Medicines. He was among the

Paracelsus, Magic into Science

Paracelsus, Magic into Science

Selections from Paracelsus

Paracelsus Selected Writings. Edited with an Introduction by Jolande Jacobi. Translated by Norbert Guterman. Pp. 347. (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, Ltd., 1951.) 25s. net.

Paracelsus as Psychiatrist

Paracelsus as Psychiatrist

The Place of Paracelsus in Medicine

The Place of Paracelsus in Medicine

Paracelsus: Personality, Doctrines and His Alleged Influence in the Reform of Medicine

Paracelsus: Personality, Doctrines and His Alleged Influence in the Reform of Medicine

Geistige Arbeit

THE object of a new periodical of this title which appears twice monthly (25 pfennigs per copy) is to give brief reviews of the progress and tendencies of modern scientific research. The subjects considered cover a wide field, including anthropology, political economy, agriculture, sociology and all the pure and applied sciences. There are articles on peasants and nomads, problems of German sociology, new concepts of natural science, methods of counting for statistical purposes, Paracelsus (a sketch), and many others. The contributors are chosen from the ranks of those who have done original work in their respective fields. In the article by Moglich dealing with the foundations of present-day physics, we find due acknowledgment paid to the epoch-making ideas of Planck and Heisenberg, but there are important omissions which detract from the value of the account. In highly compressed articles of this type, it is of primary importance that the authors should have not only a deep insight into their subjects but also a proper sense of values, if the services of a discriminating censor are not to be invoked. Goethe has said: “Die Vernunft ist auf das Werdende, der Verstand auf das Gewordene angewiesen”. This remark applies particularly aptly to the present journal, which bears the sub-title “Zentralblatt fur die gelehrte Welt”. The article on Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, commonly called Paracelsus, is of interest as his name has recently come into prominence again as one of the first great experimenters in medical science-one hears of a Paracelsus Renaissance in Germany-in spite of a certain notoriety as a vagabond miracle-worker which he probably only partly deserved. His ideas, if not actual results obtained, undoubtedly exerted a considerable influence on later workers. The journal is published by Walter de Gruyter and Co., Berlin W.10, Genthinerstr. 38.

Paracelsus and he discovery of hydrogen

Paracelsus and he discovery of hydrogen

Paracelsus and the discovery of hydrogen

Paracelsus and the discovery of hydrogen

Bibliography of the hering paracelsus library

Bibliography of the hering paracelsus library

Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus: His Personality and Influence as Physician, Chemist, and Reformer

AS is well known, it is the customary lot of revolutionaries, whether in politics, religion, literature, or science, or indeed in any department of intellectual activity, to be both vilified and extolled, and the praise and the blame are usually administered in very unequal measure, and with no due regard to the.intrinsic merits of the recipient. The common instinct of mankind is to oppose change, and he who sets himself athwart the general tendency to consider whatever is is right is certain to reap abuse for his pains, and to have his motives, however well meant, misrepresented and traduced. History shows that most reformers are in advance of their age. It is rarely that they hit what is mistakenly called the psychological moment—that is, when the world is ripe for the change they advocate, and willing and even eager to see it effected. In this exceptional case the reformer is extolled, his service universally acclaimed, and his immediate fame assured. The pioneer who has to face the vis inertiae of his age may, and usually does, go down to his grave “unwept, unhonoured, and unsung.” It is only when the fermenting leaven he has laboured to introduce has, it may be after many years, produced its effect, that his effort is recognised and its results appreciated. Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus: His Personality and Influence as Physician, Chemist, and Reformer. ByProf. J. M. Stillman. Pp. viii + 184. (Chicago and London: The Open Court Publishing Co., 1920.) 10s. net.

Paracelsus as a Reformer in Medicine

Paracelsus as a Reformer in Medicine

Paracelsus as a Chemist and Reformer of Chemistry

Paracelsus as a Chemist and Reformer of Chemistry

The Portrait of Paracelsus at the Museum at St. Gall, Switzerland

The Portrait of Paracelsus at the Museum at St. Gall, Switzerland

Thought and Afterthought in Browning's Paracelsus

Thought and Afterthought in Browning's Paracelsus