Pharmacists' lifestyle in poznan (poland) in the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century

PHARMACISTS' LIFESTYLE IN POZNAN (POLAND) IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 17TH CENTURY AND THE FIRST HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY Magowska, Anita Ul. Bukowska 70 61-111 POZNAÑ POLAND Background: A development of pharmacy, as a profession, during the second half of the 17th century and the first half of the 18th century i s little recognized in Poland. The aim of this study is a characteristic of pharmacists’ lifestyle in Poznan and its comparison with lifestyle of other groups of townspeople in Poland in the discussed period. Because Poznan was located in a place where trade roads from the West to the East met and crossed each other, this study is important for better understanding of an exchange of cultural influences in these times. Methods: Compartmelization things and pharmacy equipment listed in the pharmacists’ inventories from the discussed period, and next, comparison to things belonging to physicians, sur geons, and aristocratics. Results: Several clothes, jewellery, dishes, vessels, paintings, books, and other items typical for the highest social class were recognized in the pharmacists’ inventories. Conclusions: During the discussed period, pharmacists were patricians in Poznan. Their social standing was exactly the same as the aristocracy and they aspired to be the governing class successfully. Pharmacists played an important role in a cultural exchange between West Europe and East Europe.