Bodily Fluids, Chemistry and Medicine in the Eighteenth-Century Boerhaave School

This book explores how the chemical analysis of bodily fluids in the Dutch Republic in the 18th century transformed medical knowledge and led to the development of a new system of medicine. It focuses on the lives and works of Herman Boerhaave and his students, who used new research methods and scientific instruments to investigate how doctors gained new insights into physiological processes through chemical experimentation on bodily fluids.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 295 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the profound significance of bodily fluids in the advancement of medical knowledge during the eighteenth century. While the historiography has primarily emphasized the role of anatomy, this study reveals that the chemical analyses of bodily fluids in the Dutch Republic played a revolutionary role in shaping our understanding of the body. By examining the new research methods and scientific instruments that became available at the turn of the eighteenth century, facilitated by the visionary leadership of Herman Boerhaave and his dedicated students, the book sheds light on the remarkable developments that took place.

Each chapter of this insightful work focuses on a distinct bodily fluid, such as saliva, blood, urine, milk, sweat, and semen, to explore how doctors gained invaluable insights into physiological processes through meticulous chemical experimentation. Through their meticulous exploration, physicians transitioned from a humoral theory of medicine to new chemical and mechanical models that provided a deeper understanding of the body's intricate workings.

This book not only uncovers the lives and works of a significant group of scientists who emerged as a European-wide community of physicians and chemists but also highlights the transformative impact of their discoveries on the field of medicine. It serves as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the enduring legacy of the Dutch Republic in shaping our understanding of the human body.

Weight: 411g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030515430
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020