Timeline: Paracelsus, 1493–1541

Paracelsus is considered a pioneer in scientific chemistry for his work in alchemy and as the "father of toxicology" for his observation: "The dose makes the poison." But due to his controversial – some said, "heretical" – opinions about medicine, this colorful, self-aggrandizing man was also often called the "Luther of Medicine." In many ways, Paracelsus was ahead of his time.

He is most famous – or infamous – to the modern world as an alchemist, not as a doctor. The familiar goal of alchemy was to find a way to transform base metals into gold. However, alchemy also sought a less "base," but equally fanciful item – a panacea, or remedy for all ills. As a result of this loftier goal, this somewhat questionable art is also considered a forerunner for chemistry. Indeed, Paracelus defended his study of alchemy, stating that his interest in it was to develop medicines, not to gain riches. And rather than a cure-all, he wanted to create a specific medicine to treat every disease. While Paracelsus failed in this, he is credited with introducing the narcotic, laudanum!

Paracelsus (also Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus, or Theophrastus Phillippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim) was born in Switzerland, where his father worked as a doctor. He traveled extensively throughout his life, and though he visited numerous universities in Europe, there is dispute about whether he actually completed a medical degree. Nonetheless, Paracelsus definitely practiced medicine, including gaining hands-on experience working as a surgeon for several mercenary armies travelling throughout Europe.

In 1527, Paracelsus went to Basel to treat the leg ailment of publisher Johannes Frobenius, and was appointed city physician and professor of medicine. Unfortunately, he was perceived as arrogant, and clashed with conservative physicians at the university. This was in part due his (then) bizarre opinions, such as his belief that wounds could heal themselves if they were allowed to drain and prevented from becoming infected, and his criticism of famous doctors of antiquity, such as Galen. He also reportedly burned Avicenna's famous Canon in the St. John's Day bonfire.

His grand view of himself – and his low opinion of famous doctors of history – is stated clearly in The Book concerning the Tinctures of the Philosophers written against those Sophists born since the Deluge. In it, he writes: "From the middle of this age the Monarchy of all the Arts has been at length derived and conferred on me, Theophrastus Paracelsus, Prince of Philosophy and Medicine. For this purpose I have been chosen by God to extinguish and blot out all the phantasies of elaborate and false works, of delusive and presumptuous words, be they the words of Aristotle, Galen, Avicenna, Mesva, or the dogmas of any among their followers." Such controversial opinions, combined with the death of his first patient in the city (Frobenius) – and a lawsuit – made him leave town.

But of his fellow alchemists (today's scientific chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers) he reportedly said: "They are not given to idleness, nor go in a proud habit, or plush and velvet garments, often showing their rings on their fingers, or wearing swords with silver hilts by their sides, or fine and gay gloves on their hands; but diligently follow their labours, sweating whole days and nights by their furnaces. They do not spend their time abroad for recreation, but take delight in their laboratories. They put their fingers among coals, into clay and filth, not into gold rings. They are sooty and black, like smiths and miners, and do not pride themselves upon clean and beautiful faces." (From The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry, by M. M. Pattison Muir.)

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