Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PARACELSUS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[From The character of nature and the reign of time by Paracelsus].

Based on the writings on philosophy of nature by Paracelsus, the depiction of his picture of the universe and man is tentatively deduced from his ideal of the 'light of nature'. Paracelsus uses traditional cosmology to isolate the latter from its rigid ordered structure and to interpret it as an order of processes. To this end he uses terms such as 'time' or 'timing' that not only explain human pathic states but also clarify the biochemical order of processes of all living matter. 'Nature' in the spirit of 'time' does not mean the static, completed creation but the dynamic imperative to man to transfigure himself and to transmutate an entire universe in conclusion. Finally the 'paths to the last days' resulting from the philosophy of 'nature and time' of Paracelsus expressing themselves in this vision of a 'transfiguration of the universe' and a 'glorification of the corpus' are touched.

History, 15th Century↗
PubMed1993

[Picture of Paracelsus, the physician--and we today].

This article features the question whether Paracelsus and his dark, sometimes contradictory doctrine still includes some messages for modern physician. The lonely, pugnacious fighter from Central Switzerland remains today 'confused between favour and hatred from the parties'. Some contradictory examples shall outline controversies lasting for centuries. Subsequently Paracelsus' picture of nature, man and medicine is outlined, particular his meaning of nature and work of a good physician, but also his furious often unjustified overwhelming criticism about those physicians who went astray "in the labyrinthus medicorum". Sheep-physicians and wolf-physicians are confronted mercilessly and in a black and white scheme by this Lutherus medicorum. This likewise strange as well as also fascinating picture of a physician by this man of Hohenheim does not imply a clearly conceived temple inviting for an easy academic stroll. The sketch of a temple, however, serves as a symbol for the paracelsic science of healing: Philosophy, astronomy and alchemy are the three columns for the physician. These three columns are founded on virtue, the ethos of the physician. Religion the love for god, serves as a celestial roof. Finally the author expresses his opinion, that even today 500 years later, a modern, scientifically educated physician may profit from the philosophic and ethic principles of Paracelsus, who himself was a contemporary of a time of change like we are in our days.

Alchemy↗
PubMed1993

[Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim--known as Paracelsus].

Paracelsus' life is described biographically from his birth in Einsiedeln in Switzerland in 1493, via his education during his prolonged wanderings in many parts of Europe, until he was appointed Professor of Medicine in Basel in 1527. During the period 1524 to 1538 he wrote a number of medical and theological treatises which provide some insight into his way of thinking. He maintained that there were sides to nature and human beings that scientists had failed to explain, but which were of major importance for an understanding of human beings, and for practising medicine. The author briefly discusses some of the basic concepts which Paracelsus tried to elucidate in the light of his own experience and knowledge. Paracelsus died in Salzburg in 1541.

Alchemy↗
PubMed1997

[Paracelsus and sectarian movements in medicine].

During his entire life Paracelsus used to criticize sectarianism in medicine. All trends, even the scientific ones, incur the danger to develop into sects, namely when they consider solely one cause for diseases and one treatment. Paracelsus often filled traditional prescriptions and used traditional methods, however, he worked as well in part with early homeopathy, magnetopathy and with magic and spiritual healing. Even wonders were not excluded. This all corresponds to an open, realistic medicine. Sectarian behaviour begins, however, when any of these trends is considered the only effective one. Most important in the medical philosophy of Paracelsus is the admission of the limitations of medicine and of all its trends. Through this scientific humility the physician knows that palliation in seemingly or really hopeless situations is one of his noblest tasks.

Austria↗
PubMed1996

Towards meeting the Paracelsus Challenge: The design, synthesis, and characterization of paracelsin-43, an alpha-helical protein with over 50% sequence identity to an all-beta protein.

In response to the Paracelsus Challenge (Rose and Creamer, Proteins, 19:1-3, 1994), we present here the design, synthesis, and characterization of a helical protein, whose sequence is 50% identical to that of an all-beta protein. The new sequence was derived by applying an inverse protein folding approach, in which the sequence was optimized to "fit" the new helical structure, but constrained to retain 50% of the original amino acid residues. The program utilizes a genetic algorithm to optimize the sequence, together with empirical potentials of mean force to evaluate the sequence-structure compatibility. Although the designed sequence has little ordered (secondary) structure in water, circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance data show clear evidence for significant helical content in water/ethylene glycol and in water/methanol mixtures at low temperatures, as well as melting behavior indicative of cooperative folding. We believe that this represents a significant step toward meeting the Paracelsus Challenge.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1993

Paracelsus, scientific research and supportive care--500 years after!

The 500th anniversary of the birth of the famous Swiss physician and philosopher, Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim--called Paracelsus, in the fall of 1993 provides an excellent opportunity to review some of his thoughts and teachings and to reflect upon their timeless meaning for present-day medical research and patient care, especially in the sometimes controversial field of supportive care in oncology. Most probably Paracelsus' call for the abandonment of the encrusted dogmatic Galenism and his fight for a new spirit of experimental investigation by sound empirical studies was well ahead of his time in the early Renaissance. However, his concept of diseases as specific entities, relating to specific anatomical sites and possessing distinct and reproducible natural courses, was nearly prophetic, while still leaving room enough for individual variations. His views are somehow illustrative of modern psychosomatic medicine and comprehensive "holistic" supportive and palliative care, realized only after a very long "doctor's delay" at the close of the twentieth century.

Europe↗
PubMed2005

Distance learning and toxicology: new horizons for Paracelsus.

Distance learning offers many advantages to students and teachers of almost any scientific discipline. Toxicology is no exception. For example, should Paracelsus be interested in learning more about toxicology at Drexel University, he would have the opportunity to take two courses in this subject utilizing the content management software, WebCT. The two courses would offer a website from which he could view and/or download his notes for each class. He could correspond with the instructor as well as fellow students, participate in discussions about timely topics, and make presentations to the class, all via electronic communication. Moreover, his examinations would also be computerized. Although he might have the option of attending traditional "face-to-face" lectures with other students in the class, he could also access these lectures at any time from a remote location by using the archive of taped lectures on the class website. Overall, Paracelsus would have access to many tools to enhance his understanding of toxicology, and he probably would never have to worry about parking before class (!). The two WebCT modules in toxicology that we have developed at Drexel represent the successful migration of two courses from a traditional "face-to-face" model of classroom instruction to hybrid models that combine "face-to-face" interaction with online instruction. Student and faculty evaluations of these courses have been very positive. Future plans include linking the two modules together so that students in the advanced class can do "review" or "remedial" work in the basic module. Furthermore, a library of video clips is also planned in which researchers will be discussing their work on various toxicologic topics. Students will be able to access these clips as resources from which to write research papers.

Education, Distance↗
PubMed1993

[Paracelsus and gynecology. 500 years ago Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim was born].

500 years ago Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus, was born near Einsiedeln, the famous place of pilgrimage in Switzerland. Two gynecologists who later on became well-known medicohistorians--Bernhard Aschner (born in Vienna) and Paul Diepgen (born in Aachen)--created the basis for a summary of the etiopathogenetic ideas and therapeutic experiences of Paracelsus in gynecology. One must be aware of the fact that, living in a period between the Middle Ages and modern times, the great physician was not always able to differentiate between metaphysics and physics, e.g. in regard to menstruation, pregnancy, birth, tumors or hysteria. The hostility of his opponents and those who envied him during his lifetime as well as in the centuries after his death seems to continue today in a lack of respect for the great physician's privacy.

Female↗
PubMed1993

["From the origin and development of the French disease" to "Major wound treatment". The work and contributions of Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of his birth year].

On the occasion of Paracelsus's 500th anniversary his life and works are critically portrayed and appreciated. The present state of Paracelsian research in different fields of academic science is shown in the congress report 'Neue Wege der Paracelsus-Forschung'.

Female↗
PubMed1997

[Ethical medicine in Paracelsus].

The last decades have been an increasing interest in medical ethics. Paracelsus occupies an important place in the development of ethics in medicine in the crucial cultural passage between Middle Ages and Renaissance. Paracelsus' biography is in itself connected with ethical choices and theories. In his medical doctrines ethics is rooted in the belief in a strict correspondence between micro- and macrocosmos. Love is the basis on which a correct doctor-patient relationship can be built. Ilnesses are but episodes in the human life, and care for both spiritual and bodily health should dominate the entire life, and not ony the crucial moments of birth, sickness and death.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMed1994

[Paracelsus and Pfäfers].

Paracelsus stayed in Bad Pfäfers in 1535, but he was engaged with this thermal springs in a publication before that. One may assume August 31st 1535 as reliable date for his stay in Pfäfers. Only few details are known about this stay. We know, however, that he wrote a bathing script in Pfäfers over the micro- and macrocosmic importance and effect of the springs. The document was published and edited several times. Historically, however, he cannot be characterized as a balneologist. For abbot Johann Jakob Russinger of Pfäfers living at that time, Paracelsus wrote a report, a medical consilium, in which he particularly stressed the stomach problems of the abbot. This paper preserved in the archives of the abbey of Pfäfers (today in the archives of the abbey of St. Gallen) represents the last autographic writing of the famous physician.

Health Resorts↗
PubMed1994

[A place in the macrocosmos: Paracelsus in Bad Pfäfers].

The script about Bad Pfäfers is an exception within the entire work of Paracelsus: It is short, completely worked over and has been printed already during his lifetime. It contains an unique list of comments on latin termini in his native language, hints about the context of their origin and may be read like a concentrate of his philosophy. Biography and personality of Paracelsus are briefly outlined; thereafter, the dark preface of the script on Bad Pfäfers is commented on. The latter turned out to be a stenograph of his central ideas on natural philosophy and cosmology as expressed in other scripts of the thirties, in the 'Astronomia magna' in particular (1536). The concept of the human body, of his macrocosmic derivation and of the 'source' as natural testimony of the healing nature of Christ becomes clear. Finally, from circumstantial evidence in text and context of the script, it is concluded, that it must have derived from the dialogue with the personnel of the spa uneducated in a humanistic sense, and may be understood as an abbreviated draft ("aide-mémoire") of Paracelsic instructions.

Health Resorts↗
PubMed1997

[Antisemitism in medical-natural science and philosophical writings of Paracelsus].

During the "Third Reich", the famous German medical doctor Paracelsus (1493/94-1541) was often honoured as a forerunner of certain aspects of the "Nazi"-ideology. Especially some invectives against jews in his medical writings were often quoted in this context. But was he really the "racial" antisemite as the Nazis wanted to see him? In the present study the authors demonstrate in detail that Paracelsus, like many christian scholars in the early modern period, indeed was a propagator of a clear-cut antisemitism. But although he often used antisemitic stereotypes, his antisemitism was in no way "racial", and he was not one of the extremely radical antisemites of his time.

Germany↗
PubMed1998

A hybrid sequence approach to the paracelsus challenge.

Inspired by the Paracelsus Challenge of Rose and Creamer (Proteins 19: 1-3, 1994), we have designed a protein sequence that is 50% identical to an all-helical protein but is intended to fold into a largely beta-sheet structure. Rather than attempt a de novo design, our strategy was to construct a hybrid sequence based on a helical "parent" protein (434 Cro) and a "target" protein with the desired fold (the B1 domain of protein G). The hybrid sequence (Crotein-G) is 50% identical to 434 Cro but is also 62% identical to the B1 domain of protein G. We also created a variant of Crotein-G (ZCrotein-G) that contains a potential His3Cys1 zinc binding site. At low protein concentrations and in the presence of 20% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) (v/v), the circular dichroism spectra of the designed proteins are distinct from that of 434 Cro and similar to that of the B1 domain of protein G. However, the proteins fail to denature in a cooperative manner. Furthermore, aggregation occurs at moderate protein concentrations or in the absence of TFE. Addition of zinc to ZCrotein-G does not promote structure formation. In summary, 434 Cro has been altered to something that may resemble the B1 domain of protein G, but the protein does not adopt a native structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Paracelsus: a reevaluation.

After reviewing the notions of Paracelsus concerning medicine and his ideas about knowledge and science, the author discusses his contributions to medicine and science. He also discusses the reasons for his popularity. The general conclusion is that Paracelsian medicine represented a return to the supernaturalistic healing practices of the past.

History of Pharmacy↗
PubMed2000

Paracelsus to parascience: the environmental cancer distraction.

Entering a new millennium seems a good time to challenge some old ideas, which in our view are implausible, have little supportive evidence, and might best be left behind. In this essay, we summarize a decade of work, raising four issues that involve toxicology, nutrition, public health, and government regulatory policy. (a) Paracelsus or parascience: the dose (trace) makes the poison. Half of all chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, are positive in high-dose rodent cancer tests. These results are unlikely to be relevant at the low doses of human exposure. (b) Even Rachel Carson was made of chemicals: natural vs. synthetic chemicals. Human exposure to naturally occurring rodent carcinogens is ubiquitous, and dwarfs the general public's exposure to synthetic rodent carcinogens. (c) Errors of omission: micronutrient inadequacy is genotoxic. The major causes of cancer (other than smoking) do not involve exogenous carcinogenic chemicals: dietary imbalances, hormonal factors, infection and inflammation, and genetic factors. Insufficiency of many micronutrients, which appears to mimic radiation, is a preventable source of DNA damage. (d) Damage by distraction: regulating low hypothetical risks. Putting huge amounts of money into minuscule hypothetical risks damages public health by diverting resources and distracting the public from major risks.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Paracelsus, Haber and Arndt.

After a brief overview of the contributions of Paracelsus, Haber and Arndt to the theory of toxicology, examples are provided for quantitative risk/safety assessments using dose (c), time (t) and effect (E) as macroscopic variables of toxicity. The discussion offers explanations for application of the decision tree approach in identifying rate-determining steps in the toxicity of chemicals. Having done so allows for reasonably accurate predictions of cancer incidence (bladder, liver, heart, histiocyte) using Haber's Product under isoeffective conditions and the equation cxt=kxE for isodosic and isotemporal responses.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed1993

Paracelsus and the science of nutrition in the renaissance. On occasion of the 500th anniversary of his birth.

Paracelsus (1493-1541) was a Swiss chemist and physician. As professor of medicine in Basel, he violently opposed traditional Galenic medicine and emphasized direct observation instead. His nonconformist views and rough behaviour led to his expulsion after less than a year. He led an itinerant life, practicing medicine, writing books and studying diseases of miners. Paracelcus believed in an immaterial principle, the "alchemist," that converted food into body substance. Every animal species, he believed, was endowed with its own alchemist, adapted to its needs. Paracelcus introduced chemical thinking into medicine (iatrochemistry) and nutrition. Today, he remains a controversial figure. Other Renaissance scientists (Fernel, Vesalius) criticized traditional medicine without completely rejecting it. Leonardo da Vinci developed original views on nutrition, based on his anatomical studies. His views were, however, without influence, because he did not publish.

History, 16th Century↗