/oss/taxonomy/term/6075/all en /oss/article/history-did-you-know-general-science/powder-sympathy <p>Four hundred years ago, Belgian physician Johann Baptist Van Helmont was persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church for promoting the use of the “Powder of Sympathy.” The idea had been originally introduced by “natural philosopher” Sir Kenelm Digby who claimed that a powder produced with the help of astrological guidance could heal injuries by being applied not to the injured part of the body but on whatever had caused the injury. Digby’s book on this mythical salve went through 29 editions!</p> Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:41:49 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 10833 at /oss /oss/article/history/powder-sympathy <p>Four hundred years ago Belgian physician Johann Baptist Van Helmont was persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church for promoting the use of the “Powder of Sympathy” that was supposed to treat wounds by applying it to a dressing that had previously covered the wound. The exact nature of the substance varied, but iron or copper sulfate seem to have been common ingredients. This folly was first proposed by physician and scoundrel Sir Kenelm Digby, but Van Helmont bought into the idea. Somehow the effect of the powder on the bloody dressing was to be communicated to the blood still in the body.</p> Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:33:41 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9037 at /oss