From monastic medicine to modern pharmacy
11. June | 19:00 bis 22:00 Uhr
From monastic medicine to modern pharmacy
Lecture by specialist pharmacist Michael Dohm
Michael Dohm is a third-generation pharmacist and has been running the Scheffel pharmacy in Radolfzell since 1964. In his lecture in the old town pharmacy, the pharmacist, who is interested in the history of pharmacy, talks about the development of medicines from monastic medicine to modern pharmacy. The monastery island of Reichenau is home to the famous medicinal herb garden, modeled on the “Hortulus” by Abbot Walahfried Strabo from the 9th century, a treasure that extends far beyond the island’s borders. Monasteries were regarded as centers of medicine in the Middle Ages and into modern times. Monks collected medicinal plants, produced medicines and recorded their knowledge in herbal books. With the advent of universities, the wealth of knowledge became increasingly well-founded. – How did things develop here? The first documented mention of a pharmacist in Radolfzell was in 1610 / 11 during the plague epidemic. Franz Zangerer opened his pharmacy on Seetorplatz in 1689. A privilege from the Viennese government assured him that the newly built half-timbered house would be the only pharmacy in Radolfzell for the rest of time. After his death, the pharmacy passed into the hands of the Bosch family, who held the privilege for almost 170 years. In 1908, the pharmacy was taken over by Albert Ehrhardt. His son Wilhelm founded the Scheffel Pharmacy in 1964 and was the last pharmacist to work in this time-honored patrician house, which today houses the town museum.