PARACELSUS, Five Hundred Years:
Three American Exhibits
Front cover illustration:
In this portrait Paracelsus is shown surrounded by various
philosophical symbols, including his famous sword.
From Paracelsus: Etliche Tractaten, zum ander Mal in Truck auszgangen.
Vom Podagra und seinem Speciebus (Coln, 1567).
Washington University Collection.
NOTE:
This is an online version of an exhibit held at three sites
in 1993 and 1994
(the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD,
Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA, and
Washington University, St. Louis, MO).
It reproduces the text of the exhibition brochure,
with slight editorial changes appropriate to the online version
appearing in brackets.
The order of materials was modified slightly to be more appropriate
for a hypertext presentation.
Introduction
This exhibit [and accompanying brochure] highlight the joint observance
of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Paracelsus by three American
medical libraries -- The Hahnemann University Library,
The National Library of Medicine,
and The Washington University Medical Library (St. Louis).
It has been prepared to accompany the special exhibits which,
along with lectures and other programs,
are being organized at these libraries.
The intent of the various events is to celebrate as well as
to explain the contributions of this major Renaissance figure,
especially those in medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy.
The [exhibit] also serves to draw attention to the
unique special collections and strong general holdings
pertaining to Paracelsus that are held by the sponsoring institutions.
The theme essay in this [exhibit] has been prepared by Dr.
Allen G. Debus of the University of Chicago,
who is the leading American authority on Paracelsus
and his historical influence.
Some few of Dr. Debus's publications are cited
in the list of Some Readings on Paracelsus,
which follows his essay.
Also pertinent, however, is his recent book,
The French Paracelsians, published in 1991.
Illustrations in the [exhibit] are from the collections of
the National Library of Medicine and Washington University.
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