[Boerhaave and medication].

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• History of Chemistry
• 18th-Century Medicine

Context:

• Herman Boerhaave was a prominent Dutch physician and professor at Leiden University.
• His works, including "Elements of Chemistry," "Aphorisms," and "Materia Medica," achieved significant success in 18th-century France through French translations.
• A fourth book, "Treatise of the Virtue of Medicines," translated in 1729, received less acclaim but offers unique insights.

Purpose:

• To analyze the content and reception of Herman Boerhaave's "Treatise of the Virtue of Medicines."
• To contextualize Boerhaave's scientific and medical philosophy based on this specific work.
• To re-evaluate Boerhaave's classification within the historical medical paradigms of iatrochemistry and iatromechanism.

Summary:

• The "Treatise of the Virtue of Medicines," though less popular than Boerhaave's other books, provides critical evidence of his medical theories.
• Despite holding a professorship in chemistry, Boerhaave's approach in this treatise aligns with iatromechanism, emphasizing mechanical principles in medicine.
• The book's analysis challenges the perception of Boerhaave as a proponent of iatrochemistry, highlighting his adherence to mechanistic explanations.

Impact:

• This study reframes the understanding of Herman Boerhaave's scientific orientation, particularly his position within the history of medicine and chemistry.
• It underscores the importance of analyzing a wider range of an author's works to accurately assess their contributions and philosophical underpinnings.
• The findings contribute to a more nuanced historical perspective on the transition from iatrochemistry to iatromechanism in medical thought.