The Entire Works of Dr. Thomas Sydenham

The Entire Works of Dr. Thomas Sydenham

Thomas Sydenham is often referred to by the moniker “the English Hippocrates” a title granted to him for his reviving of Hippocratic methods and ideas about medicine and the treatment of diseases of every kind. A friend and coworker of Locke Sydenham is often cited as a key influencer on Locke’s ideas towards children and social welfare, as well as being on his own a key influence on English medicine as a whole (Hill). Sydenham was undoubtedly influenced by the Enlightenment, and shortly after his death a compendium of his entire publishing work was created. This book, the Entire Works of Dr. Thomas Sydenham covers a wide range of medical cases and presents the ideas and knowledge within in a distinctly enlightenment tone. Every description of a disease and the cures that successfully treated it are indexed and available for easy reference and understanding (Sydenham). Additionally, all of the writing is taken from Dr. Sydenham’s own personal observations and ideas. For many enlightenment thinkers at the time, in particular authors like Diderot enlightenment was something that could be achieved through education and observation. In this way Sydenham’s work shows a clear example of this enlightenment influence at work, rather than creating a medical journal for the benefit of the already medically educated his works emphasize the basic and easily understandable parts of medicine, and often focus on diseases and problems the average person might face; for example, his sections on fevers and the best methods for treating them. Sydenham’s work gives valuable insight into two important trends in this time, both the influence of Enlightenment thought throughout European society, and a glimpse into the ideas of a man who revolutionized English medicine.

Thomas Sydenham

https://www.europeana.eu/portal/en/record/9200579/g8jrrtgt.html?q=thomas+sydenham

1749

Jack Williams

CC BY