Medizingeschichte im Spektrum. Festschrift zum fünfundsechzigsten Geburstag von Johannes Steudel

Transactions (No. 28, 21 October, 1667, 539-40); and blood transfusion (III, 480). An informed interest in medical subjects spread far beyond the qualified doctors of medicine, Boyle being the most notable example. Prince Rupert (whose own Medicine Chest is described, II, 229-30) recommended Valentine Greatrakes the 'stroker' to Boyle (III, 59), and a wonderful example of English scepticism is provided in Dr. Nathaniel Fairfax's account of the Norfolk gardener who experimented on himself and ate poisoned toads and lots of spiders to disprove the old wives' tales about them. Oldenburg's far-ranging foreign correspondence gave rise to numerous letters from foreign scientists, many of the greatest interest and value. We cite at random from a letter of Michael Behm to Hevelius, 1 November 1667 (III, 574-7) on a disease which is still a problem. Behm has referred to Boyle's work on Colors and Fluidity, and wishes that he would publish more on the nature of salts. He goes on to suggest that Glisson or Wharton might investigate the process of coagulation of the blood. Behm himself has just suffered an attack of gout, and he goes on to write: