In the hypothesis that the VM is a medical compendium, what is each section?
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In the scenario where the VM is (or pretends to be) a medical compendium, what is each section's function? At both ends of the known history of humanity's interpretation of the manuscript, from B(aresch) to Z(andbergen), medicine in the broadest sense of the word plays an important role. So let us assume for this thread that the VM is indeed, or at least explicitly drew inspiration from, a collection of imagery from the medical sphere. Then what is each section supposed to represent at first glance? 

  • Large plants, this seems obvious: a herbal manuscript.
  • Astro diagrams: I'm not sure, probably medical astrology? Other forum members must know more about this.
  • Zodiac section: I have seen various ideas here; something related to women's health, or a calendar of good and bad days to take a bath?
  • Q13a: f77 is the one where people see internal organs. But what about folios 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83? I have no idea.
  • Q13b: therapeutic bathing (like Balneis)
  • Three 4-way diagrams on rosettes recto: I don' know.
  • Rosettes: I don't know, what could this be in a medical context? Or should we broaden the scope and include things like mappa mundi? But even then the 9-circle layout is weird, isn't it?
  • Small plants: pharmaceutical jars and ingredients.
  • Q20: this isn't imagery, but it seems structured like recipes (either for remedies or for food).
Again, this is about the general impression, without getting lost in details. What is the whole section supposed to look like?
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In the hypothesis that the VM is a medical compendium, what is each section? - by Koen G - 21-06-2021, 09:42 PM

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