a. [f. med.L. chemiatria, Paracelsian term (f. Gr. χημία, alchemy, chemistry + ἰατρεία medical treatment) + IC.]
Relating to a theory of medicine adopted by Paracelsus and others, according to which the conditions and functions of the body in health and in disease were explained by the chemical doctrines of the time; morbid conditions being referred to disturbances of fermentations, effervescence of humours, and such like, and being treated accordingly. (Syd. Soc. Lex.) Also as sb. One who held this theory.
Only a term of modern literature; in 16–17th c. chemic, chemical were used.
1837–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., IV. viii. § 38. Sylvius … is reckoned the founder of what was called the chemiatric school. Ibid. (1847), III. 599. Willis … was a partisan of the chemiatrics.
1881. Westm. Rev., Oct., 409. In the Renaissance, the chemiatric school … said that diseases are derangements of a fermentative process in the body.
