Correct date for Paracelsus

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETH)
INW Nutrition Biology
ETH Zentrum –LFW A 33
CH-8092 Zurich
Switzerland
E-mail: paolo.colombani{at}inw.agrl.ethz.ch

Dear Sir:

In the recent Journal article by Mennen et al (1), the Conclusions section began by quoting Paracelsus: "In the 17th century, Paracelsus said, ‘All substances are poisons, there is none which is not a poison. It is the dose that distinguishes a poison from a remedy.’"

Unfortunately, the date reported is not correct. Paracelsus wrote his Septem defensiones in the 16th century (specifically, 1538), not in the 17th century.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author had no conflict of interest.

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