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.
- Cover
- Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Consilia Literature from the Beginning
- 2.1 Definition of the Genre and the Paradigm of an Ideal Consilium
- 2.2 Related Genres
- 2.3 Collections and the Genesis of Consilia Literature
- 2.4 The Initial Stages of Development and Representatives
- 2.5 Consilium and Consultation Literature in Subsequent Centuries – Bibliography
- 2.6 Selected Representatives of Consilia Literature of the 16th Century
- 2.7 Representatives of Consilia Literature in 16th Century Italy
- 2.8 Representatives of Consilia Literature in German-Speaking Countries
- 2.9 Representatives of French Consilia Literature of the 16th Century
- 2.10 The 16th Century Consilia Literature – Summary
- 2.11 An Outline of the Development of Consilia Literature in the 17th and 18th Centuries
- 3. Consilium, the Physician, Patient and Res Publica Litteraria in Early Modern Consilia Literature
- 3.1 Creation of Consilia
- 3.1.1 Selection of Counsellors – Faculty of Medicine or Renowned Physician?
- 3.1.2 Payment for Consilia – Money or a Gift?
- 3.2 Real Consilia Versus Related Genres
- 3.3 Collections and Anthologies
- 3.3.1 Numbers of Consilia in Collections and Anthologies
- 3.3.2 How Consilia Were Collected for Publication
- 3.3.3 Editors, their Work and Dedications
- 3.3.4 Anthologies, Advertising and Book Printers
- 3.4 Patients
- 3.5 A Physician’s Career and his Consilia
- 3.6 Paralipomena and Summary
- 4. Consilia on the French Disease
- 4.1 An Excursion into Early Modern Physiology and Pathology
- 4.2 History of the French Disease
- 4.3 The French Disease in Consilia Literature of the 16th Century
- 4.4 Advice for Syphilis Patients from Selected Authors
- 4.5 Summary
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. An Example Case Study from the 16th 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
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