A Subtle and Mysterious Machine: The Medical World of Walter Charleton (1619-1707)Walter Charleton is an intriguing character—he flits through the diaries of Pepys and Evelyn, the correspondence of Margaret Cavendish, and his texts appear in the libraries of better-known contemporaries. We catch sight of him 1 conversing with Pepys about teeth, arguing with Inigo Jones about the origin of 2 Stonehenge, being lampooned in contemporary satire, stealing from the Royal Society, and embarrassing himself in anatomical procedures. While extremely active in a broad range of Royal Society investigations, his main discovery there seems to have been that tadpoles turned into frogs. As a practising physician of limited means, Walter Charleton was reliant for his living upon patrons and his medical practice—in addition he had the m- fortune to live in an era of dramatic political change, and consequently of unpredictable fortune. His achievements were known on the Continent. Despite his embarrassments in Royal Society anatomical investigation he was offered the prestigious chair of anatomy at the University of Padua. He turned down this extraordinary opportunity, only to die destitute in his native country a couple of decades later. The lugubrious doctor is without doubt an enigma. Charleton’s Anglicanism and staunch Royalism were unwavering throughout his career. The latter caused difficulties for him when he attempted to gain membership of the College of Physicians during the interregnum. His religious views were a source of concern when he was offered the position at Padua. |
From inside the book
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Page 10
... suggests that the letter indicates that Charleton gained his practical training as assistant to Mayerne.46 As ... suggesting that he lived nearby . circumstances , and thus support like this was not unusual.50 10 CHAPTER I.
... suggests that the letter indicates that Charleton gained his practical training as assistant to Mayerne.46 As ... suggesting that he lived nearby . circumstances , and thus support like this was not unusual.50 10 CHAPTER I.
Page 13
... suggests that the two men were close.63 The dedication deliber- ately reinforced the friendship between the physician and his mentor , while assert- ing Brouncker's superiority in intellect and learning . The dedication contained a ...
... suggests that the two men were close.63 The dedication deliber- ately reinforced the friendship between the physician and his mentor , while assert- ing Brouncker's superiority in intellect and learning . The dedication contained a ...
Page 16
... suggests that Charleton's choice of her as patron was politically astute , as protection from a prestigious person of quiescent status would have advanced his career.82 However , as a gambit for protection in trou- bled times , it does ...
... suggests that Charleton's choice of her as patron was politically astute , as protection from a prestigious person of quiescent status would have advanced his career.82 However , as a gambit for protection in trou- bled times , it does ...
Page 17
... suggesting that the author's aim was dissemination of continental ideas to England , rather than the reverse . The ... suggests that the structure of Charleton's Immortality was perhaps borrowed from Digby's Two Treatises . J. M. ...
... suggesting that the author's aim was dissemination of continental ideas to England , rather than the reverse . The ... suggests that the structure of Charleton's Immortality was perhaps borrowed from Digby's Two Treatises . J. M. ...
Page 18
... suggests that the subjects of his publications did not indicate his adherence to the broader philosophies upon which they touched . Rather he seems to have published according to trends in the market- place , and to have explored ...
... suggests that the subjects of his publications did not indicate his adherence to the broader philosophies upon which they touched . Rather he seems to have published according to trends in the market- place , and to have explored ...
Contents
Rewriting Walter Charleton Physick and Natural Philosophy | 32 |
The Alembic of our Pen Charletons Identity as a Physician | 52 |
The Animal Oeconomy Natural History 1659 in the Context of English Physiology | 81 |
The Republick of Letters Charletons Identity in the Royal Society College of Physicians | 109 |
Enquiries into Human Nature 1680 Charletons Anatomy and Physiology after the Royal Society | 137 |
Three Anatomic Lectures 1683 Ways of Knowing and the Anatomical Body | 178 |
Conclusions | 216 |
Annotated bibliography of the works of Walter Charleton | 223 |
243 | |
254 | |
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A Subtle and Mysterious Machine: The Medical World of Walter Charleton (1619 ... Emily Booth No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
activities analogy ancient Animal Oeconomy animal spirits argued argument audience authority blood body Borelli Boyle brain Brown cause chapter Charleton's lectures Charleton's presentation chyle claims classical College of Physicians contemporary context Deliramenta demonstration depicted Descartes discourse discussion dissection doctrine eclectic eclecticism emphasis England English Enquiries Ephesian Matron Epicurus epistemology examined experimental experiments explanation faculties fibres Francis Glisson Frank Galenic George Ent Glisson Harvey heart historians History of Medicine hypothesis ideas identity illustrate important innovation Inquisitiones intellectual invoked knowledge Latin learned London Margaret Cavendish mechanical mechanical philosophy mechanist method motu muscles Natural History natural philosophers Nayler nerves Oeconomia Animalis Oxford Physiologists physical physician physiology practice professional publication published reason reference rejected Robert Boyle role Royal Society Science scientific revolution Scorbuto seems self-construction self-presentation seventeenth century Shapin soul status suggests textual theory Thomas Willis Three Anatomic Lectures tion traditional understanding University Press virtuoso Walter Charleton Webster writings
Popular passages
Page 16 - And I have been greatly helped by considering machines. The only difference I can see between machines and natural objects is that the workings of machines are mostly carried out by apparatus large enough to be readily perceptible by the senses (as is required to make their manufacture humanly possible), whereas natural processes almost always depend on parts so small that they utterly elude our senses. But mechanics, which is a part or species of physics, uses no concepts but belong also to physics...