Poeses

Poeses refers to the historical practice of medical practitioners preparing and dispensing their own medications. This was common before the widespread availability of manufactured pharmaceuticals. Physicians would maintain apothecaries in their offices, stocking raw ingredients and compounding remedies as needed for their patients. This allowed for personalized treatment based on the physician's direct observation and assessment. The process involved a deep understanding of materia medica, including the properties of various herbs, minerals, and animal products, as well as the techniques for extracting, combining, and preserving them. The rise of the pharmaceutical industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, with its standardized preparations and mass production, gradually diminished the practice of poeses. While physicians still prescribe medications, the act of physically preparing them has largely been ceded to pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies. This historical practice highlights a different model of healthcare delivery and the evolution of the medical and pharmaceutical professions.