PARACELSUS

FOR SURGEONS AND FIELD SURGEONS

The work "Der Großen Wundartzney" was first published in 1536. This edition is from around 1563. It comprises two parts. The first is entitled: "... the doctor's body and wound remedy for all wounds, stings, shots, burns, animal bites, broken bones...", the second: "On the origin and healing of open sores".

The "Surgery Book" describes all working areas of the surgeon and – in the event of war – of the field surgeon. This includes the treatment of animal bites, broken bones, burns and chemical burns, gunshot wounds as well as  the specific treatment of the "French pox", an ailment associated with syphilis consisting generally of external ulcers.

These first two parts of the "Great Surgery Book" are the only two larger medical writings published during Paracelsus' own lifetime. They met the need of surgeons for written instructions in the local language and won over readers with simple formulations, and probably also through the sharp disassociation from learned doctors.