During the Elizabethan Era, Apothecaries and the Four Humors went hand in hand. The Humors, being blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm, were all associated with one of the four elements of earth, air, fire and water …show more content…
The physicians had no idea what were causing the illnesses, so they relied on the Humors and teachings of Gallen, Aristotle and Hippocrates. A combination of philosopher’s findings and astrology came to Apothecaries. Elizabethan Era Apothecaries dispensed drugs to ill patients when they did not have enough money to take the route of surgeons and/or quality physicians.
Since the poverty rates in England were skyrocketing, many people could not afford physicians, so their only route was to visit an apothecary. Nicholas Culpeper is an infamous apothecary from the era. Culpeper discovered many herbal remedies that helped to alleviate symptoms for patients. Herbs such as chamomile, lavender, poppy, rosemary, and sage are only a few of the plentiful amounts of “cures” Culpeper prescribed.
A pharmacist is described as “a person who is professionally qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs.” Pharmacies were first prosperous circa the 9th century, but only surfaced in England around the 17th century. Pharmacists in today’s times are the updated versions of Apothecaries from the 16th century. Due to lack of capital, apothecaries usually worked in small pharmacy like stores, and prescribed what they saw fit, based on the Humors and philosophical breakthroughs of Gallen, Hippocrates, and