Forma Fluens (“flowing form”) is a blog dedicated to the history of the body. A metaphor for life itself, as a rhythmic flow that alters the shape and the diachronic identity of the human being, this space is dedicated to any curious person interested in the history of medicine and the body.
FORMA FLUENS
Histories of the Microcosm
The Blog of the Body
Material from the blog is free to consult and use but must be credited as per the title, author, affiliation and sources displayed in each article. For queries or to express an interest in submitting an article for the blog, feel free to contact the centre in the dedicated section. Enjoy and stay tuned: more is always coming!
Medical Alchemy in Medieval Catalonia
Between medieval alchemy and Franciscan spiritualism, this article unearths the intersection of science and religion in pursuit of the Elixir.
New Perspectives on Early Modern Earth Sciences
This article explores how early modern natural philosophers and artisans realised a convergence between artisanal and geological knowledge.
Early Modern Thaumaturgical Practices
This article examines the accounts of miracles attributed to Saint Angelo of Licata, detailing the testimonies of people who suffered
Snow, Health and Death in Florence
The article sheds light on the practice of storing winter’s snow and ice for consumption, focusing especially on Renaissance Florence.
Cosmological Resonances of Bodily Fluids
The article explores the life and works of the Portuguese physician Estêvão Rodrigues de Castro, and especially his 'De meteoris
Body, World and Theater
The article offers new insights into the Renaissance system of analogies between the theaters of memory and the anatomical theaters.
Medieval Armenian Medicine
A fascinating fresco of Armenian medical culture that unravels the many parallels between East and West.
Maimonides and the Perfect Physician
Claudio Azzarito discusses the characteristics of the “perfect physician” as they emerge from the medical writings of the 12th-century Jewish