In the early 1500’s there lived a man by the name of Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim. He later came to be known simply as Paracelsus. He was among other things a botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist. He was also a physician. He challenged authority, challenged the status quo, and challenged the established and revered medical practices of the day. His work with remedies involving plants, minerals, and elements changed medicine forever. He was known as a revolutionary for insisting upon the use of observations of nature, rather than looking to ancient texts, in open and radical defiance of medical practice of his day. He theorized that sickness and health in the body relied on the harmony of man (microcosm) and Nature (macrocosm). He is credited for giving zinc its name and for the terms “gas”, “chemistry”, and “alcohol“ and is also credited with the first clinical/scientific mention of the unconscious. He pioneered not only the use of “medicines” as remedies but also the concept of dosage. His efforts lead to the modern sciences of pharmacology and toxicology which are indeed two sides of the same coin.
The basis of his research and theories was “All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits something not to be poisonous.” Frequently that concept is summarized by the Latin phrase:
Dosis sola facit venenum. The dose alone makes the poison.
Dose. How much is too little? How much is too much? How much is just right? Dose. Adjusting the amount to find the point where the substance complements and finds harmony. Where it produces a positive result. The term dose is generally applied to medicines, chemicals, substances. I believe another word to describe the concept of dose is BALANCE, and I believe it applies to every aspect of our lives. Our physical lives. Our mental lives. Our spiritual lives.
How much coffee, tea, alcohol, sleep, exercise, is the right amount? These days we all have far too much internet, email, television, video games, cell phones, social media, multitasking, consumerism, self-indulgence, intolerance, credit debt, religious extremism, super-sizing, and pop culture. And we all have far too little down time, quiet, thought, reflection, personal interaction, physical activity, compassion, reading, spirituality, understanding, modesty, courtesy, humility, reason, laughter, and healthy diets. Too much stress keeps you in a heightened, constant state of fight or flight without ever coming down and leads to all sorts of physical and mental problems. Too little stress, well, I read an article once that defined the complete and total absence of stress as…death.
Finding that point where it all complements and finds harmony. Where it produces a positive result, or at least a neutral rather than a negative one. Finding a way to live in wisdom and in balance.
I’ve worked for over 35 years as a professional Industrial Hygienist. The formal definition of Industrial Hygiene is “that science and art that deals with the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards in the workplace and the community.” A profession that deals every day with the concept of dose.
Science and Art. That’s actually one of the first things that attracted me to the profession when I realized there was a name for the work I was already doing. A balanced duality. For those who know anything about Astrology, I am a classic Pisces. Go to any good Astrology website and read the description for Pisces and it will come pretty close to describing me. While you’re there take a look at the symbol for Pisces. Two fish, swimming in opposite directions. We fish are often considered to be indecisive. The truth is we have a hard time coming down solidly on one side or the other because in most cases we can see – and consider – both sides. So, it really comes as no surprise that I would be attracted to the duality in the above definition. Nor is it a surprise that I would be attracted to the concept of two opposites, or extremes being brought together at the point where they complement and find harmony. Recognizing two sides of the same coin and getting the coin to stand on edge. A balancing act to be sure.
The union of “science and art” still appeals to me. I’m still drawn to balanced dualities. I’m still interested in helping people to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control hazards. I’ve just expanded the scope.
Paracelcus was quite a unique and interesting man with a unique and interesting life. While he may not have been known for having the most pleasant disposition he did seem to grasp the idea of living in wisdom and in balance. If you would like to know more about him check out these links:
