Carlo Gandini (1705-1788) is known for the introduction of typical traditional Chinese Medicine practices into Italian medicine, and in particular, that of pulsology. Yet, his activity led him to perform other interesting experimentations, among which, human head distillation. Distillation from human heads was performed since the 17th century and permitted the obtention of an elixir prescribed to treat encephalic diseases. In this paper, we present his analysis, the result of his experimentation and what appears to be the first evidence of cremation, albeit unintentional, some one hundred and forty years before the first modern cremations.

A case of “distillation” of human heads in the Eighteenth Century for medicinal purposes resulting in calcination of the cranium / A. Porro, L. Biehler Gomez. - In: MEDICINA HISTORICA. - ISSN 2532-2370. - 8:1(2024), pp. e2024008.1-e2024008.5.

A case of “distillation” of human heads in the Eighteenth Century for medicinal purposes resulting in calcination of the cranium

A. Porro
Primo
;
L. Biehler Gomez
Ultimo
2024

Abstract

Carlo Gandini (1705-1788) is known for the introduction of typical traditional Chinese Medicine practices into Italian medicine, and in particular, that of pulsology. Yet, his activity led him to perform other interesting experimentations, among which, human head distillation. Distillation from human heads was performed since the 17th century and permitted the obtention of an elixir prescribed to treat encephalic diseases. In this paper, we present his analysis, the result of his experimentation and what appears to be the first evidence of cremation, albeit unintentional, some one hundred and forty years before the first modern cremations.
Carlo Gandini; Cremation; epilepsy; head distillation;
Settore MED/02 - Storia della Medicina
Settore MEDS-02/C - Storia della medicina
2024
23-mag-2024
www.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/MedHistor/article/view/15652
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1062368
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