Medical Case Studies (Consilia medica) of the Early Modern Period

Great Pox Documented

Bohdana Divisová

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040792056
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: European Medieval History
• Index: History

Consilia played an important role in not only medieval but also early modern professional health literature. A literary 'consilium' consisted of a written statement of one particular case, including the patient's condition and disease as well as advice concerning medical treatment. In the sixteenth century, consilia literature was a common component of the practices of many eminent physicians. This is illustrated through an analysis of consilia from twenty-two different collections and anthologies by fifteen selected authors, who represent university professors, personal physicians, and urban physicians from early modern Italy, France, and German-speaking Central Europe. A closer look at nearly 7,000 consilia shows how important a link they were within the medical community. A detailed view of consilia intended for patients suffering from the 'French disease' reveals details about, for instance, the most common treatments for syphilis – mercury and guaiacum – alongside many other interesting and important details.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Consilia Literature from the Beginning
• 3 Consilium, the Physician, Patient and Res Publica Litteraria in Early Modern Consilia Literature
• 4 Consilia on the French Disease
• 5 Conclusion
• 6 An Example Case Study from the 16 th Century: Consilium CXV. “A Dermal Rash with the French Disease” Victor Trincavellius. Consilia medica post editionem Venetam et Lugdunensem, accessione CXXVIII consiliorum locupleta et per locos communes digesta. Basel: Conradus Valdkirchius (1587): 678-82.
• Index