Iatrophysics

The Iatrophysik (Greek iatros: doctor, healer ) referred to in the 17th century medical theory, according to which the life processes and the pathological changes in the organism - in contrast to the teaching of Iatrochemistry - are physically and mechanically conditioned.

By that reasoning, it should also be possible to influence these vital processes by physical and mechanical means. Accordingly, with Iatrophysiker one called a doctor, who represented the views of the Iatrophysik. For example, the blood circuit has been returned to the hydrodynamics. The mechanical function of the heart was compared with a pump function. The mechanical functions of the limbs of the human body such as arms and legs as compared to the function of the levers.

As a principal founder of the Iatrophysik applies Santorio Santorio. Other important representatives were Giovanni Alfonso Borelli, René Descartes and Francis Glisson.