Rudolph Goclenius the Younger

Rudolf Goclenius the Younger (22 August 1572 in Wittenberg – 3 March 1621 in Marburg) was a German physician and professor of physics, medicine and mathematics at the Philipps University of Marburg. He was the oldest son of Rudolph Goclenius, who was also professor of rhetoric, logic and ethics at Marburg.

As a physician he worked on cures against the plague. He became famous for his miraculous cure with the "weapon salve" or Powder of Sympathy. Based on the hermetic concepts of Paracelsus he published 1608 the proposition of a "magnetic" cure to heal wounds: the application of the salve on the weapon should heal the wounds afflicted by the weapon. This concept was brought to England by the alchemist Robert Fludd. A famous proponent was Sir Kenelm Digby. Synchronising the effects of the powder (which apparently caused a noticeable effect on the patient when applied) was actually suggested in the leaflet Curious Enquiries in 1687 as a means of solving the longitude problem.

He is the eponym of the lunar crater Goclenius. Already in 1651, the Jesuits Riccioli/Grimaldi honored him on behalf of his book Urania on astrology and astronomy.

Publications

• R. Goclenius: Rodolphi Goclenii Iun. D. Aulae Isenburgic. Medici Ordinar. Uranoscopia, Chiroscopia & Metaposcopia, Hoc est, Coeli Seu Sphaerae Coelestis Syderumque Eius, Linearumque Manus Ac Frontis Contemplatio nova, eruditae & rationalis experientiae testimoniis demonstrata: qua probatur, divinationem ex astris, lineisq[ue] manuum & frontis nec impiam esse, nec superstitiosam, & propterea omnibus rerum Physicarum abditarumq[ue] studiosis concessam Lichae: Kezelius, 1603
• R. Goclenius: De Pestis, fabrisque pestilentis causis, subiecto, differentiis et signis cum consilio prophylactico & curatorio, gravissimarumque quaestionum declaratione, tractatus perspicuus & methodicus,...In multorum communem utiltatem conscriptus a Rodolpho Goclenio [Goclenius], Marpurgi Cattorum 1607: Hutwelcker
• R. Goclenius: De vita proroganda : h.e. animi corporisque vigore conservando, salubriterque producendo tractatus; Mainz 1608
• R. Goclenius: Rod[olphi] Goc[lenii] M.D. Uranoscopiae, Chiroscopiae, Metoposcopiae, Et Ophtalmoscopiae, Contemplatio: Qua probatur, divinationem ex astris, lineisq[ue] manuu[m], fro[n]te, facie & oculis nec impiam esse nec superstitiosam / Cui acceßit totius Physiognomie solida ex causis & effectis demonstratio, Editio Nova. Francofurti : Schönwett[er], 1608
• R. Goclenius: Tractatus de magnetica vulnerum curatione, Marburg 1608, Frankfurt 1613
• R. Goclenius: Urania cum geminis filiabus: hoc est Astronomia, et astrologia speciali: nunc primo in lucem emigrans Rodolpho Goclenio, medic. Doctore et Professore in Acad. Marpurgensi; Francofurti : Musculus, 1615
• R. Goclenius: Wiederaufbau zur Verteidigung des Traktats über magnetische Wundheilung: gegen die glücklose Anatomie des Johannes Roberti SJ, Marburg 1617. Against Jean Roberti.
• R. Goclenius: Rod. Goclenii, Med. D. Et Mathem. Professoris ordin. in Acad. Marpurgensi, Acroteleution Astrologicum: Triplex hominum genus circa divinationem ex astris in scenam producens, falsamq[ue] Astrologiam a vera, rationibus, exemplis & experimentis distinguens, contra novas criminationes. Annexus quoq[ue] est tractatus integer correctior quam fuit ante Cypriani Leovitii, Mathematici Excellentiß. de coniunctionibus magnis, eclipsibus solaribus & Cometis, cum eorundem effectuum historica expositione.... Marpurgi : Egenolphus, 1618

References

• A late discourse made in a solemne assembly of nobles and learned men at Montpellier in France touching the cure of wounds by the powder of sympathy: with instructions how to make the said powder: whereby many other secrets of nature are unfolded by Kenelm Digby, Sir; R White, Gent.; Printed for R. Lownes and T. Davies, London, 1658
• Curious Enquiries, cited by Dava Sobal: Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time (Paperback)