1538 French prognosticator - photo

1538 century French prognosticator used to foretell illnesses.

"By means of moving the concentric dials of this brass instrument details of a patient's illness could reputedly be predicted."

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...r_fullsize.jpg
https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...nosticator.jpg


Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...2674#post76760
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...911#post133620
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...416#post173518
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...898#post164085
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...530#post182104

The side of the dial shown in the photo looks more like a lunar phase calculator. In fact, the movable arm says "La Lune", French for "the moon".

As the arm is rotated to a particular date, the circular cutout in the rotating arm may move over darkened areas under it, to produce an image of the moon at that date showing the phase of the moon.

I can't see anything in the photo that relates to illness. Perhaps there is something on the other side of the device ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

The side of the dial shown in the photo looks more like a lunar phase calculator. In fact, the movable arm says "La Lune", French for "the moon".

As the arm is rotated to a particular date, the circular cutout in the rotating arm may move over darkened areas under it, to produce an image of the moon at that date showing the phase of the moon.

I can't see anything in the photo that relates to illness. Perhaps there is something on the other side of the device ?

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No, I'm pretty sure this is -exactly- what is used by the CDC. :D

Other side:

https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...other_side.jpg

Lots of astrological symbols plastered on the standing figure on the left. Also, on the banner above the guy on the right are symbols for some of the planets.

I'm guessing that the rings of letters and numbers are tied to a book that accompanied the instrument.

Probably had a now missing pointer that was tied to the arm on the other side via the central hole.

More shamanistic BS that passed for real understanding back in the era when barbers did surgery on the side.