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Gerson Quote

“I have found that the ancient works of Paracelsus and many other physicians of antiquity have given a deeper development to the concept of wholism.”
— Dr. Max Gerson, M.D.

Paracelsus' Philosophy

Paracelsus believed that man can only be understood through the macrocosm, and not merely through himself (the microcosm). Only by understanding this harmony can a physician become more complete.

The Rebellious Alchemist — Paracelsus (1493–1541)

1️⃣ A Revolutionary Who Defied Tradition

Paracelsus was not only a physician of the Renaissance but also a rebellious thinker who transformed medicine:

• Challenged authority: He openly opposed the Galenic and Avicennian medical systems revered at the time.
• Rejected blind tradition: At the University of Basel, he publicly burned classical medical texts, declaring that medicine must rely on observation and clinical practice.
• Medical innovation: By integrating chemistry, natural philosophy, and clinical practice, he initiated the modernization of medicine.

He is celebrated as the Father of Modern Pharmacology, his name standing alongside Hippocrates, Avicenna, and Galen.

2️⃣ Founder of Iatrochemistry

Paracelsus was the first to apply chemical elements and compounds to the treatment of disease:

• Medical chemistry: He pioneered the concept of “iatrochemistry,” introducing minerals and metals into medical practice.
• Scholarly contribution: In his work Alchimia (Alchemy), he described methods for producing substances such as sulfur dioxide and stannic chloride.
• Revolution in dosage: He proposed the principle that “the dose makes the poison,” establishing the foundation of modern toxicology.

3️⃣ Core Medical Principles of Paracelsus