Aqueous extractions - a general reading

[ReneZ]

Thanks for those comments. Indeed, Paracelesus was engaged in his own enterprise. The description "proto-Paracelsean" was given to the Voynich at an early point - Panofsky, I think. His first question was: Where are the gemstones and metals?" He was struck by the fact it is exclusively herbal and noted this was characteristric of the (later) Paracelsean school.

I am not so sure that that is correct. At least, I am not aware of any source where Panofsky mentioned Paracelsus. He did mention the following things:
- that there are probably parts missing which would have included beasts and stones
- that it is a combination of cosmological, medical and perhaps alchemical material

Paracelsus was mentioned in connection with the MS by Charles Singer (see You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. ).
Singer probably did not have a correct estimate of the age of the MS (my guess).

The MS predates Paracelsus' work by at least 70 years, probably closer to 100.
The term proto- implies that this would be an early form of Paracelsean ideas.
That is of course a hypothesis that one can maintain or explore, and then it would be good to have the correct source or supporting arguments for it.