Abstracts of the History of Science Society 2004 Austin Meeting 18 ...

wax-modellers. For example, they granted fame and authority to a woman like the Bolognese Anna Morandi Manzolini (1714–1774),
who continued to be celebrated in local gazettes as well as in Grand Tour reports into the nineteenth century. This paper will explore
the social life of anatomical models by focusing on the socio-historical setting in which anatomical models contributed to re-define
the notions of evidence and credibility supporting medical claims about the body.
Dane Thor Daniel, Dibner Institute, MIT (danethor@mit.edu)
Thursday, 18-Nov-04, 5:00 - 7:00 PM - Texas Ballroom VII
The Wandering Magus: Paracelsus’ Medical Practice
Paracelsus is well-known for his invectives against the medical practice of university-trained physicians. He chastised their reliance on
Aristotle and Galen and instead emphasized the medical import of alchemy, natural magic, and radical spiritualism. Paracelsus’ theories
have received much attention, but surprisingly little notice has been paid to the medical applications of his natural philosophy. Thus, in
this paper I will first characterize Paracelsus’ itinerant medical practice and then examine two of his medical prescriptions. I will argue
that the relationship between Paracelsus’ theory and practice is a complex one. Sometimes his speculative matter theory plays an important
role in his medical practice, but at other times he ignores his novel chemistry and reverts to traditional cures. To begin, I will show
that Paracelsus’ practice was a mixture of preaching, alchemy, and surgery in the service of various European armies. I will underscore
his promotion of magical powers and poisons, and belittlement of the establishment. Having discussed his medical context, I will then
look at two prescriptions written by Paracelsus. The first is housed in the National Library of Vienna and the second is contained in
his fascinating correspondence with Erasmus of Rotterdam, who was briefly one of his patients. I examine these documents in terms
of Paracelsus’ lengthy discussions on the material cosmos and its relevance to his therapeutic chemistry. The Vienna prescription shows
that Paracelsus clearly dug into traditional medical practices, such as those associated with Galen, and not his speculative matter theory.
However, his suggestions to Erasmus were less conservative and incorporated his innovative chemistry. The picture that emerges is one
of two seemingly different approaches. On the one hand, one might see a chasm between theory and practice, between words and
deeds. On the other hand, there are important ways in which his magically laced matter theory surfaces fruitfully and predominately in
his treatment of patients. As I emphasize in the conclusion, Paracelsus wrote voluminously about his chemical theory, and yet many
questions remain regarding how his speculations actually influenced his practice of medicine. While scholars of Paracelsiana agree that
Paracelsus’ followers clearly sought to apply elements of his speculative philosophy to their medicine, they tend to argue that this was
not the case with Paracelsus himself. By pointing to the complexities of Paracelsus’ medical practice, however, I show that the issue
deserves further examination.
Deepanwita Dasgupta, University of Minnesota (dasgu007@umn.edu)
Saturday, 20-Nov-04, 1:30 - 3:10 PM - Hill Country A
The Story of Engineering Education in India: Science Education within the Framework of a Colonial Requirement
The present paper tells the story of a diffusion of_scientific/technological knowledge within a colonial context, that of 19 th century
British India. It is argued that in general diffusion proceeds_through two important patterns: colonization by another society or reconstruction/
reorganization of a society’s knowledge base under its own policy. 19th century British India was an example of the first kind.
This theme is explored by analyzing the story of the engineering education in 19th century India. As an example of diffusion within
colonial requirements, which was fundamentally flawed, we notice that it was remarkably under-productive in spite of much
Government rhetoric. Overall, this was a case where the proposal to generate‚ technical knowledge or to ensure its integration‚ into
indigenous knowledge failed to find a home within the parameters of colonial government policy. I argue that this episode gives us
valuable clues on what to avoid for a successful knowledge transfer. The basic process of colonialism does not support a mechanism
of positive feedback, which is essential for transfer and therefore defeats its own civilizing mission. Indeed, the above analysis shows
why educational/research institutions of science in India often arose as a form of protest within the colonial framework. Growth of
Indian science thus took place through a mechanism which may be characteristic of colonial transfers.
Frederick R. Davis, Florida State University (fdavis@fsul.edu)
Friday, 19-Nov-04, 9:00 - 11:45 AM - Texas Ballroom VII
The Naturalist Tradition and the Evolution of Conservation Biology
Throughout the twentieth century, the naturalist tradition thrived in the Department of Zoology at the University of Florida. One of
the strongest proponents of natural history was Archie Carr, who was the world’s leading authority on the ecology and conservation of
sea turtles at the time of his death in 1987. Early in his career, Carr prepared classic natural histories and taxonomic studies of turtles.
Later he studied the ecology and migrations of sea turtles. This research indicated that sea turtles needed conservation measures. Based
on his scientific studies, Carr knew that only international efforts would protect such wide-ranging species. As director of the Marine
Turtle Group for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Carr advocated for such campaigns, and his activism
anticipated the evolution of conservation biology as a new discipline.