William Salmon’s Medicina Practica, or Practical Physick, published in 1692, is a comprehensive medical compendium that reflects the medical knowledge and practices of the late 17th century. Salmon, a prominent English physician, aimed to provide practical guidance for treating a wide array of common ailments affecting the human body. The book is structured into three parts, each addressing various diseases and their treatments, drawing from both contemporary medical practices and ancient philosophical works.
The first part of the book focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of prevalent diseases of the time, such as aches, pains, apoplexies, agues, bleeding, fluxes, gripings, wind, shortness of breath, diseases of the breast and lungs, abortion, loss of appetite, and the loss of the use of limbs. Salmon provides detailed descriptions of symptoms and prescribes remedies, often utilizing herbal preparations and compounds. For instance, he recommends the use of Venice turpentine combined with camphor and mastic as a plaster for agues, and a concoction of posset-drink with carduus for fever treatment. These treatments reflect the medical understanding and reliance on herbal medicine during that era.
The second part delves into the preparation of the “Præcipiolum,” or the universal medicine of Paracelsus, a renowned Swiss physician and alchemist. Salmon provides instructions on creating this remedy, believed to cure various ailments by balancing the body’s humors and restoring health. This section underscores the influence of Paracelsian medicine, which emphasized the use of chemical substances in treatment, marking a shift from traditional Galenic practices. Salmon’s inclusion of such methods indicates an openness to integrating emerging medical theories with established practices.
The third part of the book presents translations of philosophical and alchemical works by figures like Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bacon, and George Ripley. These texts explore the philosophical underpinnings of medicine and the pursuit of the philosopher’s stone, believed to grant immortality and cure all diseases. Salmon’s commentary on these works reflects the era’s intertwining of medicine, philosophy, and alchemy, highlighting the holistic approach to understanding health and disease.
Medicina Practica serves as a testament to the medical knowledge and practices of the late 17th century, blending practical treatments with philosophical and alchemical insights. Salmon’s work offers a window into the evolving landscape of medicine during a period of significant transition, where traditional remedies coexisted with emerging scientific approaches. The book remains a valuable resource for understanding the historical context of medical practice and the enduring quest to comprehend and heal the human body.