The Medical Meaning of Physica
Jerome J. Bylebyl
D URING THE LONG INTERVAL from the fifth century B.C. to early modern period, classical traditions of medicine and philosophy underwent repeated interactions, resulting in significant overlaps content method. The two disciplines nevertheless retained distinct identities through most this coexistence, with notable exception a medieval phase which scholars tended conflate them.1 By ninth word physica, without having lost its meaning natural philosophy, was beginning displace medicina as designation medical learning (as practice), during twelfth physica came refer both practices associated rational medicine. Similarly, by Middle Ages physici (natural philosophers) were being cited literary authorities on specifically issues,2 singular physicus became preferred alternative medicus (healer) for designating an individual expert. After prevailing several additional centuries, these usages passed out currency continental Europe, stranding English words physic physician major vestiges.3 demise Latin Romance vernaculars is consistent general return usage Renaissance, but Paul Oskar Kristeller has emphasized, terminology great inter-
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