Research and Pharmaceutical Progress

The renaissance period of history was marked by the revival of learning, great advances in literature and in art, by the discovery of the process of printing, and by religious and political revolt. During this period, even the sciences gave evidence of an awakening. Astronomy led the way with the epoch making discovery of Copernicus in 1530 that the sun and not the earth is the center of the solar system. Pharmacy and chemistry were less fortunate since they could free themselves only with difficulty from the mysteries and superstitions of alchemy with its vain quest for the philosopher's stone, the elixir of life, and the riches and bodily vigor their discovery would insure.

Jenkins’ article is reprinted in its entirety in the PDF version at the following link: http://www.ajpe.org/aj7503/aj750359/aj750359.pdf

• © 2011 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy