Pharmazie und der gemeine Mann. Hausarznei und Apotheke in deutschen Schriften der frühen Neuzeit

development of pharmacognosy is revealed as a struggle between disciplines and outstanding scholars. Botany and materia medica appeared early as subjects in the syllabuses of the medical faculty. By 1810, Schultes had merged disciplines to produce medical-pharmaceutical botany and, after the move to Munich, von Martius promoted pharmacognosy, the studies moving increasingly from a medical to a pharmaceutical science, although still heavily dependent on botany. Von Goebel (c. 1896), instituting pharmacognosy with practical exercises, consolidated the discipline to the disadvantage of botany. Distinct chemical and botanical aspects emerged. The work of the Buchners (father and son), Hilger, and Bleyer laid the chemical foundations; although J. A. Buchner considered chemical pharmacognosy as a part of pharmaceutical chemistry. Nevertheless, it was by exploitation of such chemical foundations that Schlemmer and H6rhammer were later to build the school of pharmacognosy. Schlemmer expounded pharmacognosy as the scientific discipline embracing the cultivation, preparation, commerce, chemical and microscopical analysis, and standardization of medicinal plants and their products. The work, which Renner has summarized effectively, of Schlemmer on ergot, bloodroot, and peppermint, of H6rhammer on flavone glycosides and later with Wagner on citrus fruits and phosphatides, justified the establishment of the professorship of pharmacog-nosy in 1960 within the InstitUt fur Pharmazeutische Arzneimittellehre (Pharmakognosie). Renner's book presents a carefully compiled, well-annotated and capably presented account of the events, environments, and personalities involved in the evolution of the pharmacognosy school. Detailed appendices provide a mine of information on timetables, lecture subjects, typical examination questions, dissertations, biographical details of outstanding staff members, and staff publications. To British pharmacists and others interested in medicinal plants, who are puzzled by developments in herbal medicine and in schools of pharmacy in Britain, this story of persistence and adaptability coupled with academic excellence makes heartwarming reading. from 1598 to 1666, collected manuscripts and books on theological and secular subjects, bibles, maps, and music. The volumes, bound in white vellum, their spines often lettered by himself, are assembled in the magnificent Augusta hall of the library. A large collection of "Nutzbucher" or practical textbooks, chiefly on medicine and related subjects, were added during the eighteenth century. Many of these were included in the recent exhibition. In the foreword to the catalogue, the present librarian, Professor Paul Raabe, records two conferences that were held during, and within the frame of reference of the exhibition. Five articles instruct professional and lay readers on the essential aspects of …