Paracelsus

Paracelsus (Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, c. 1493–1541) was a Swiss physician and medical writer of the Renaissance, also known for his work in alchemy. Active across Central Europe, he challenged established medical authorities and emphasized observation and experience in healing. He is associated with the use of chemical substances in medicine and is often credited with advancing early toxicology, including the idea that dosage determines whether a substance is harmful. Paracelsus wrote widely on medicine and natural philosophy, blending practical therapeutics with broader theories about nature and the human body. He died in 1541.