Publisher's Synopsis
This book provides a detailed exploration of Galenic pharmacopoeia, tracing its evolution and enduring influence from the Roman Empire through to the Industrial Revolution. Galen's works on simple and compound remedies, known as 'galenicals,' formed the cornerstone of Western pharmacology, adapting across diverse cultures and eras. Despite their historical significance, a systematic study of galenicals beyond the Renaissance has been long overdue. Drawing on new and often overlooked archival sources, leading historians examine how Galenic pharmacopoeia was adapted and transmitted across regions as diverse as the Islamic world, India, China, the New World, and Japan. Contributions trace the incorporation of new substances, preparation methods, and philosophical frameworks into Galenic medicine, as well as its integration into household and commercial contexts. This collection challenges the conventional narrative of Galenism's decline and instead highlights the resilience and adaptability of his pharmacopeia across cultures and medical traditions. Topics covered include textual transmission, theories of matter, occult properties, dosage regulation, apothecary practices, and the commodification of materia medica in Atlantic trade.
