David Stolcius

Jean-Jacques Manget, a physician from Geneva, was a notable figure in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, recognized for his extensive work in medicine and his significant contributions to the compilation of medical literature. He dedicated himself to studying epidemic diseases, particularly the bubonic plague and tuberculosis, and is acknowledged alongside Théophile Bonet as a key "compiler" of knowledge across medicine, surgery, and pharmacology. His own research included early studies in pathological anatomy, specifically coining the term "miliary tuberculosis" based on his observations of tiny, seed-like lesions.

Beyond his medical research and compilations, Manget also produced a significant collection of alchemical texts titled Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa in 1702, which gathered many rare works. His expertise extended to practical applications, as he served as a plague doctor and published a major treatise on the subject. Manget advocated for stringent quarantine measures to control disease transmission, citing examples of their success. His career also saw him appointed as the personal physician to Frederick III, Elector of Brandenburg.

Jean-Jacques Manget, a physician trained at the University of Valence, was deeply involved in understanding and documenting medical knowledge of his time. He is particularly remembered for his work on epidemic diseases, including detailed studies on the bubonic plague and tuberculosis. Manget's approach involved not only his own research but also a systematic collection of existing medical literature. This dedication to compilation, alongside Théophile Bonet, earned them the distinction of being "great compilers" in the fields of medicine, surgery, and pharmacology. His investigative work included early examinations of the pathological anatomy of miliary tuberculosis, a condition he named after observing numerous small, millet-seed-like lesions in various organs.

In addition to his medical pursuits, Jean-Jacques Manget made a significant contribution to the study of alchemy through his extensive compilation of alchemical texts. His major work in this area, the Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa, published in 1702, brought together a substantial collection of alchemical writings. This valuable resource included many works that were already considered rare, making them more accessible to scholars and practitioners. The compilation served as a testament to Manget's broad intellectual interests, extending beyond conventional medicine into the more esoteric realms of chemical philosophy and practice.

Manget's expertise was highly sought after, especially during times of epidemic. He published a comprehensive treatise on the bubonic plague, Traité de la Peste, and was recognized as a plague doctor. His recommendations for managing outbreaks included the implementation of strict quarantine protocols and other severe measures to prevent the spread of infection. Manget reported on the effectiveness of such measures, noting their successful application in regions like Silesia. He also documented the use of emerging treatments, such as the exotic drug ipecac, which he reported had been used effectively in Marseille against the plague.

“All People and all Countries wishing to remain in a perfect state of health must pay continuous attention to what takes place among their neighbors. If rumors spread that a contagious disease is gaining a foothold, they must break of all communication and all exchanges with it. They must prohibit all inhabitants of both provinces, the infected and the healthy, from engaging in any sort of communication in the future, under any pretext, on pain of death: and for this decree to be religiously observed it will be important to post well-armed Soldiers on the borders, and to build gallows on all public roads; either to intimidate those who will want to leave the infected country or to hang on the spot those who will have defied the prohibition.”