Consilia played an important role in not only medieval but also early modern professional health literature. A literary ‘consilium’ consisted of a written statement of one particular case, including the patient’s condition and disease as well as advice concerning medical treatment. In the sixteenth century, consilia literature was a common component of the practices of many eminent physicians. This is illustrated through an analysis of consilia from twenty-two different collections and anthologies by fifteen selected authors, who represent university professors, personal physicians, and urban physicians from early modern Italy, France, and German-speaking Central Europe. 

A closer look at nearly 7,000 consilia shows how important a link they were within the medical community. A detailed view of consilia intended for patients suffering from the ‘French disease’ reveals details about, for instance, the most common treatments for syphilis – mercury and guaiacum – alongside many other interesting and important details.

Contents

• Introduction
• Consilia Literature from the Beginning
• Consilium, the Patient, Physician and Res Publica Litteraria in Early Modern Consilia Literature
• Consilia on the French Disease
• Conclusion
• An Example Case Study from the 16th Century Victor Trincavellius, Consilium CXV. ‘A Dermal Rash’