Paracelsus and Medicine During the Renaissance

We just learned about medicine in the Middle Ages, and the time period that follows is called the Renaissance. What advancements were made during this time? The most important figure in this period of medicine went by the name of Paracelsus, so how exactly did he contribute to this field? It turns out he was quite the polarizing figure, so let's take a look!

Script by Vittorio Farina

Check out "Is This Wi-Fi Organic?", my book on disarming pseudoscience!

[monicaesthernambo]

I loved The FMA reference, you have my absolute recognition.

[sainabijanzadeh]

At the morning i was reading bout him in the course of drug chemistry and at the night this popped up in my feed. What a blessing.

[Donavanw]

Fun fact if you’ve seen/read FMA brotherhood. The dwarf in the flask tries to give van the name Theophrastus Bombastus, but then settles on von Hohenheim as he’s a reference to paracelus.

[SangheiliSpecOp]

I always think about how lucky we all are to be born after these periods where people had such limited knowledge of medicine and medical practices. But I'm sure people will be saying the same thing in 3020.

[Tornadopelt]

You get a like for Edward Elric at 10:32.

[SapienSafari]

This is one of the most interesting lessons I’ve ever listened to.

[thorstenkoethe]

Addon to Luther: He also translated a latin written book (the bible) into german so that everybody had access to it at any time.

[OrionNebulous]

TB is not completely treatable. Advanced stages are often fatal and the Extensively drug-resistant TBs are really difficult to treat and often lead to death even if treatment is followed
A lot of progress has been made but the disease is showing increasing rates of resistance to treatment that can be problematic in the future. It is a lot better than it was in the renaissance

[KasumiRINA]

11:45 Dead from grief was a code word for suicide in some societies, as people who killed themselves were usually not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground, excommunicated post-mortem, had their inheritance "nationalized", or worse. Also, censorship. If you read Chinese literature, you have a disgraced general often receive a letter from his superiors that made him die from grief... yeah right, a grieved blade to the neck, more likely... It's weird how Americans are unable to comprehend figures of speech. Example, "Cancer and Wolf" as cause of death on same book doesn't mean literally choked by a big lobster and a wolfy, those are illnesses CALLED a crab (cancer) and wolf (lupus). Similarly, planet was a code for something that would not be named otherwise. Like a heart attack?

Edit: you do name Consumption and Rising of the Lights as TB and Croup. Though I've read the latter might be asthma, pneumonia, and emphysema. You never know the local slang of the era. That's why our meme jokes will be gibberish to internet archaeologists. :p

P.S. Most deaths were from lack of vaccines and/or antibiotics. Horrible what anti-vaxxers want to bring us to! Near 50% infant mortality rate was still there in East Europe when my grandmother was young, some of her children died little without explanation too.

The dumbest thing that people knew how antibiotics worked since Ancient Egypt, the women who owned breweries made molded bread into medicine... I read that in India, and some other ancient countries people also figured that out. And then 2000 years of dark ages. =(

[imthrillz]

Me learning about paracelsus for class: man this guy sounds a lot like an anime character i know….

[edditspaghettit]

This was honestly so exciting to watch, I greatly anticipate the next part!

[DemDoolies]

Hahahaha I love the part about Paracelsus shunning Latin because it was only used to sound smart. Even more true today

[stiofanofirghil]

In my field of recovery, I've often been surprised by how many people think there's a distinction between good & bad drugs..

[talalasadi]

I have only one note, the video is long
everything else is perfect thanks to you

[SergeiTheAnarch]

Hey Prof Dave, I'm not sure how often you read the comments, but would you mind if I cited your video in a podcast episode on this subject?

[BrendaSP]

Tuberculosis is no longer completely treatable in all cases due to antibiotic resistance. It’s a very serious problem.

[azysgaming]

Thanks for such a simple explanation.I am and will always be your fan.Keep up the good work!

[KoenZyxYssel]

Great video. Paracelsus was a pretty cool guy.

[Virgrown]

Great series! Very informative and beautifully produced. 🏆🙏

[glennpearson]

470 people died of Teeth? What's "Teeth?" Great work, as always, Professor Dave. Really enjoyed it and continue to learn.