Giulio Alessandrini

Giulio Alessandrini (Latin Julius Alexandrinus or German Julius Alexandrinus von Neustein; 1506 – 25 August 1590) was a physician, writer, and poet.

Biography

Giulio de Alessandrini di Neuenstein was born in Trento. He studied philosophy at the University of Padua. He was physician to emperors Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, and Rudolph II.

He was a devoted follower of Galen and translated many of Galen's works into Latin, adding his own commentary. He died in Civezzano.

The following is sourced from an article written by Paola Gabrielli, pages 46 - 47, published July 2016, anno LlI - numero 339, Rivista della Provincia autonoma di Trentowww.provincia.tn.it
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"He spent his early years moving between Trento, Riva, and Rovereto. After completing his foundational education, he continued his studies at the University of Padua, where he is listed as a student in 1530. He began his studies in literary and philosophical disciplines before turning his focus to mathematics and Greek language and literature. However, it was medicine that emerged as the field best suited to his talents, offering the ideal blend of inquiry and practical application. During the Council of Trent, he served as the official physician and provided his insights on the petechial fever that emerged in Trento in 1547, likely introduced by passing papal mercenaries.

He dedicated himself to studying and translating the works of the Greek physician Galen, embracing Galen's systematic, pre-experimental approach to medicine. This method emphasized treating diseases through a detailed study of anatomy, physiology, and the properties of herbs and plants, focusing on observing symptoms rather than relying on the Hippocratic belief in an innate healing force or resorting to the magical and superstitious practices common in medieval medicine.
What importance does de Alessandrini place on the soul? It is, undeniably, the responsibility of doctors to address it—along with the mind. Even the soul, a subject explored by natural philosophy, falls within the realm of medicine. In his book De medicina et medico, he asserts that the soul is truly immortal, despite appearances to the contrary. Its immortality is obscured by its union with the body, which is inherently corruptible and subject to mortality. Building on Galen's teachings, he explores the faculties of the soul and their corresponding temperaments. According to the physician of Pergamum, the rational soul resides in the brain, the irascible soul in the heart, and the concupiscible soul in the liver, each governing distinct aspects of human nature.

The soul’s faculties—the rational, the irascible, and the concupiscible—are closely tied to their corresponding physical organs: the brain, heart, and liver. These faculties are influenced by temperament, which arises from the elemental balance. This interplay underscores the vital role of diet and nutrition in maintaining harmony. Diet plays a crucial role in shaping temperament, as evident in how excessive wine consumption can cloud rational judgment. The food and drink we consume profoundly impact our emotional and mental state, influencing whether we remain calm or irritable, timid or confident, quick to anger or patient. A well-balanced diet not only supports physical health but also fosters qualities like tolerance, patience, and joy, while poor dietary choices can lead to frustration and instability.
In his book De Medicina et Medico, de Alessandrini challenges the relevance of astrology in medicine, arguing that it offers little value to the field. He cautions against relying on the often-deceptive predictions of the stars, urging a more grounded and rational approach to medical practice. This stems not only from the subject's intrinsic complexity, marked by its nuanced reasoning, but also from the inherent unreliability of such predictions. Reality is fluid and unpredictable, making these forecasts misleading and often deceptive. As a result, he views the study of star positions as largely irrelevant to medicine and the treatment of illnesses.

He translates several works by Actuarius Johannes and Galen, but challenges the authenticity of the text De Theriaca ad Pisonem, traditionally attributed to the renowned Greek physician. In his commentary (In Galeni Præcipua Scripta Annotationes… de Theriaca Quæstio, Basel, 1581), he also critiques the use of theriac—a complex compound believed to cure various ailments and act as an antidote to poisons. According to Giordano da Pisa, this remedy was derived from a fearsome serpent known as the tiro.

On June 22, 1558, Ferdinand II of Habsburg officially confirmed his father's noble title. Later, in 1573, Emperor Maximilian II elevated his status to Conte Palatino, granting the distinguished predicate "di Neuenstein." He traveled extensively between Germany, Austria, and Bohemia and settled in 1577 in Civezzano, where he maintained his residence and bought other houses in Trento (in via Mazzini and via S. Maria Maddalena) and in Mattarello.

His writings stand out for their profound relevance to both medical and educational disciplines. In Salubrium sive de sanitate tuenda, he outlines methods for preserving health and preventing illness, emphasizing the importance of physical exercise, proper rest, balanced diet, hygiene, and the use of medications.

Meanwhile, in Pædotrophia sive de puerorum educatione, he underscores the inseparable connection between mind and body and highlights the critical role of early childhood in shaping a child’s character. He also examines the influence of both mothers and nurses in this process.

However, his most renowned work remains De medicina et medico, which Gosuero himself regarded as a masterpiece of exceptional erudition. He also composed poetic works in Latin, including the odes Ad Antonium Crotam, dedicated to a Trentino canon, and Ad Benedictum Lampridium, honoring a Cremonese poet, both published at the conclusion of De puerorum educatione.

He passed away at the age of 84 and was laid to rest with distinction in the Cathedral of Trento, Italy, where he is memorialized to this day."

Works

* ''De medicina et medico dialogus.'' Zurich, 1557.
* ''In Galeni præcipua scripta, annotationes quæ commentariorum loco esse possunt. Accessit Trita illa de theriaca quaestio.'' Basel, 1581.
* ''Pædotrophia carmine'' (1559).
* ''Paedotrophia sive de puerorum educatione. Liber ab auctore recognitus. Ejusdem carmina alia.'' Trent, 1586.
* ''Salubrium, sive de sanitate tuenda, libri triginta tres.'' Cologne, 1575 — A treatise on hygiene compiled from ancient authors.

References

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*this article incorporates material from the French Wikipedia article

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alessandrini, Giulio
People from Trento
16th-century physicians from the Holy Roman Empire
Medical writers
1506 births
1590 deaths