Useful Medical Texts
Below are a few Traditional Western Medical texts worthy of study and can be downloaded.
The Practice of Physick.
In seventeen several books. Wherein is plainly set forth, the nature, cause, differences, and several sorts of signs; together with the cure of all diseases in the body
Rivière, Lazare
The works of of French Physician Lazarus Rivierus, as he was known, were well respected and were translated into English and other languages. He provides a good overview of Medical treatment drawing on his own experience.
–1668 Edition (Wellcome, High Quality, Downloadable)
–1678 Edition (Wellcome, High Quality, Downloadable)
The practice of physick. In twenty and four books …
–1661 Edition (Wellcome, High Quality, Downloadable)
Mellificium Chirurgiae; or, the Marrow of ChirurgeryWith the anatomy of human bodies according to the most modern anatomists, illustrated with many anatomical observations. Institutions of physick, with Hippocrates’s aphorisms largely commented upon, The marrow of physick, shewing the causes, signs, and cures of most diseases incident to human bodies |
Thirteen books of Natural Philosophy:
I. Of the principles, and common adjuncts of all natural bodies. II. Of the heavens, the world, and elements. III. Of action, passion, generation, and corruption. IV. Of meteors. V. Of minerals and metals. VI. Of the soul in general, and of things vegetable. VII. Of animals or living creatures. VIII. Of man. Unto which is added five books more of natural philosophy in several discourses. IX. Discourse I. Of the principles of natural things. X. Dis. 2. Concerning the occult and hidden qualities. XI. Dis. 3. Of atomes and mixture. XII. Dis. 4. Of the generation of live things. XIII. Dis. 5. Concerning the spontaneous generation of live things
Sennert, Daniel, 1572-1637.
A great overview of Natural Philosophy, much of which overlaps or complements Traditional Medicine theory.
Nine Books of Physick and Chururgery
Another text written by Daniel Sennert. A good overall representation of Medicine and Surgery of the 17th century
The Compleat Chymical Dispensatory, in five books
Treating of all sorts of metals, precious stones, and minerals, of all vegetables and animals, and things that are taken from them, as musk, civet.
Schröder, Johann, 1600-1664.
Schroder’s Chymical Dispensatory covers both galenic and chymical preparations, as well as much theory of Chymistry, materia medica and formulas.
A most excellent and Perfect Homish Apothecary or Homely Physick Book
Despite being an early book of “Home” or “Kitchen” remedies, this home guide for treatment gives a good basic overview of theory and differential diagnosis, as well as (usually) simple, but effective remedies. Written in mid 15th century Almaine (German).
Brunschwig, Hieronymus (translated in English) 1561
–1561 Edition, from Staatsbibliothek-berlin (High Quality, Downloadable)
