Bad Ragaz, Switzerland/badragaz406-guajakwood
Previous | Home | NextIn this 16th century copper etching, the purported healing powers of guaiac wood are depicted. To the right a house servant chops a log of guaiac which will be burned in the fireplace, whose smoke will pervade the home. To the left the patient afflicted with syphilis is ministered by the physician. Paracelsus discredited this treatment and proved the efficacy of mercurial salts. Guaiac is derived from the palo santo tree of South America, which has a resinous heartwood used for incense and perfumery.
