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History of the RSM - June 2011

 

Occult MagickOccult physick, or The three principles in nature anatomized by a philosophical opperation [sic] : taken from experience, in three books. The first of beasts, trees, herbs, and their magical and physical vertues. The second book containeth most excellent and rare medicines for all diseases happening to the bodies of both men and women, which never yet saw the light; an incomparable piece. The third and last book, is a denarian tract, shewing how to cure all diseases with ten medicaments; and the mystery of the quarternary, and quinary number opened; with a table shewing the suns rising, setting, hours of the day, hours of the night, and how many minutes are contained in a planetary hour both day and night; with a table of the signs continuance on the ascendent, fitted for magical uses; as gathering of herbs, roots, and the like, with their uses. Whereunto is added a neccessary [sic] tract, shewing how to judge of a disease by the affliction of the moon, upon the sight of the patients urine, with an example; also you are taught how to erect a figure of heaven for any time given.

By W.W. Philosophus; student in the coelestial sciences.
London : printed by Tho. Leach, for H. Marsh, at the Princes Arms in Chancery Lane, and for W. Palmer, at the Palm Tree near St. Dunstans Church in Fleetstreet, 1660.

This book will be on display in the Library at the RSM as part of The Haven of Health, an exhibition to tie in with the Anglo-American Conference 2011: Health and History.

Consisting of pre-nineteenth century works on sickness, physic, and health, the lengthy titles of which often extend to a description of the contents, and which variously present health as The Hope of Health, The Fountain of Health, The Garden of Health, The Newe Jewell of Health, and The Treasury of Health, this exhibition gives visitors a taste of many of the preoccupations and concerns of the time such as how to preserve health and attain longevity .

The Haven of Health runs from June 6th – July 8th and will be held on the second floor of the Royal Society of Medicine Library.

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