[Age and aging in Friedrich Hoffmann's medical practice]

Our research uses medical case histories from the practice of Friedrich Hoffmann (1660-1742) in Halle (Saale) to explore the following key questions: what in Hoffmann's view constituted the beginning of 'old age', and what treatment he offered to these older patients. When examining the notion of what Hoffmann considered the start of 'old age' to be, it is apparent that in certain cases he deviated from his theoretical categorisation, when confronted with the disposition, or ill-health, of individual patients. It is also evident that Hoffmann pursued a differentiated approach to the treatment of those he viewed as older patients, avoiding the prescription of medication in favour of dietary measures to encourage blood circulation. Furthermore, whilst on the basis of Hoffmann's 'Iatromechanical Theory', the use of the intellect in 'old age' was considered detrimental to health, our findings suggest that Hoffmann did not advise his mainly upper class patients to avoid this entirely, as he appreciated that they had to conform to societal norms.