How elderly lady gives advices- health and beauty on the example of ‘Novel about the Rose’
‘Novel about the Rose’ is a French poem, which first part was written by Wilhelm de Lloris in year 1230, second part goes to Jean de Meum in 1280 year. This piece is a seen, which tells us about travelling of the main hero through the love garden, which is inhabited by personifications. The main heroin of few chapters, who is also the teller, is this elderly lady, who show us her ideas about the nature and freedom. She gives some advices, how to be pleasant and she teaches women how to take care about their health, especially their beauty. Jan from Meum, the author of second part of this piece reveal us his image about relations between men and women. He teaches, how to treat or hide some illnesses. Itch is the main disease, he writes mostly. Jan from Meum gives a purpose in smilling and crying, what is more he encourages women to every cosmetic movements, make up for example. He knows the canons so he distinguishes beautiful and ugly women. Moreover he is conscious of the fashion from the thirteen century. Hair is for him one of the most important criterion. Furthermore he recommends fun and dance. Ideas connected with this novel which are totally different from church’s point of view, makes this book loved and hated in the same time. Thanks to that masterpiece we are aware of daily life of main characters and their visions and decisions of highly educated people from France in thirteen century.
Research on the Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) in 19th century medical and pharmaceutical journals
The Calabar bean (Physostigma venenosum Balf.) is both a poisonous and medicinal plant. Its toxic properties were investigated by William Freeman Daniell (1817-1865), a British surgeon and botanist. He reported that a water extract, milky in colour obtained from the seeds of a certain plant was used in the 'judgements of god' as the poison of test in Old Calabar. This drew the attention of Robert Christison (1797-1882), a Scottish physician, toxicologist and professor of materia medica in Edinburgh, who conducted experiments using the Calabar bean extract on animals as well as on himself. There were also publications on the Calabar bean in Polish journals authored, among others, by Maryan Barcz, the prowizor of pharmacy [professional degree obtained by pharmacy staff after graduation from university and professional practice].
Public Health on the Polish Territories under Prussian Rule
illustrated by the case of Bydgoszcz District
As a result of the Second Partition of Poland the District of Bydgoszcz was incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia. As a consequence, on that area the modern concept of public health was introduced, similarly to the rest of the 19th-century Germany. Prussian doctors-officers were responsible for the development of the sanitary policy and guarded the norms ensuring preservation of health. At the beginning of the 19th century activeness of the Prussian state with reference to medical care, determined mostly by military and security considerations, was of short term or temporary character and focused mainly on anti-epidemic measures. It was no earlier than the second half of the 19th century that the concept of subjective right for health protection was created, mainly related to the health protection of working persons. The German insurance order was binding also on the Polish Territories annexed by the Prussia. On the basis of acts on insurance in the Bydgoszcz District the municipal and regional health maintenance organizations were established, owing to which the medical services and financial aid were available also to the Polish working class. The development of social insurance contributed to extension and modernization of hospitals and enabled the regulation of pharmacy-related matters, and of dental and midwifery care in the Bydgoszcz District.