By Walt Hickey
A quick election-week detour!
A few months ago I talked a little about some bigger picture stuff I’m working on with this post:
People seemed to enjoy that, so here’s another look at what I’m into.
Simon Forman was an astrologer and physician in early modern London. There was a period of time where all people who practiced medicine incorporated at least some astrology in their efforts, we’re talking in the period of time that Galenic physiology and Paracelsianism were giving way to other methods, but basically just roll with me that for quite a while the appropriate amount of astrology in a doctor visit was usually not zero.
Forman was, decisively, coming in at the end of that heyday, and had generally poor relations with the medical establishment of early modern London. I’m simplifying, but you get a sense that one reason he had such a substantial (and often well-connected!) customer base was that when the plague rolled in, he stuck around while other physicians wisely go…