Roger Bacon and the Incorruptible Human, 1220-1292: Alchemy, Pharmacology and the Desire to Prolong Life

This book explores Roger Bacon's interest in alchemy and its potential application in medicine during the 13th century. It argues that Bacon combined various sources to create a unique plan for prolonging human life, drawing on his understanding of disease, aging, and mathematics. It provides a new system for organizing Bacons alchemically produced medicines and discusses their physiological effects. Bacon's work is situated within the context of university-educated medical practitioners and the Franciscan order, and it fills a significant lacuna in scholarship on medieval medical writings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book delves into the intriguing exploration of the Franciscan alchemist Roger Bacon (1220-1292) and his profound interest in the role of alchemy in medicine. It explores how this interest intertwined with the thirteenth-century milieu in which Bacon lived and wrote. While twelfth-century Latin alchemy primarily focused on transmuting base metals into noble ones, Bacon believed that the natural principles taught in alchemy held immense potential for medical applications. In a time when many physicians were actively theorizing about ways to combat the effects of aging, Bacon held a unique perspective. He believed that by combining alchemy and humoral medicine, one could potentially extend their lifespan by decades, even centuries.

By examining Bacon's extensive alchemical, medical, and mathematical works, this book makes a compelling argument that Bacon synthesized various sources to create a distinctive plan for prolonging human life. His understanding of disease and aging drew heavily from the Galenic tradition, while his insights into the workings of pharmaceuticals can be traced back to his mathematical theories, particularly his concept of the multiplication of species. The book offers a novel system for organizing the alchemically produced medicines created by Bacon, providing valuable insights into the differences between these medicines and their potential physiological effects.

Furthermore, this book fills a significant gap in scholarship on the history of medieval medical writings. It provides essential reading for historians of medicine, pre- and early modern European science, medieval philosophy, and religio. By examining Bacon's multifaceted contributions, this book sheds light on the complex interplay between alchemy, medicine, and the broader cultural and intellectual contexts of the thirteenth century. It offers valuable insights into the enduring legacy of Bacon's ideas and their profound impact on the development of medical knowledge and practice throughout the centuries.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031128974
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023