title: Medicine, 1450-1620, and the history of science.
abstract: History of science and history of medicine are today largely organized as distinct disciplines, though ones widely recognized as interrelated. Attempts to evaluate the extent and nature of their relation have reached varying conclusions, depending in part on the historical period under consideration. This essay examines some characteristics of European medicine from the fifteenth to the early seventeenth century and considers their relevance for the history of science. Attention is given to the range of interests and activities of individuals trained in or practicing medicine, to the impact of changes in natural philosophy, to the role of observation, description, and accumulation of information, and to the exchange of knowledge among the medical community.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, USA. nsiraisi@gc.cuny.edu
authors.forename: Nancy G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Siraisi
mesh_terms: D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005060:Europe; D006666:History of Medicine; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000266:history; D010686:Philosophy, Medical / Q000266:history; D012107:Research Design; D012586:Science / Q000266:history*