<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Ducheyne, Steffen</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Joan Baptiste Van Helmont and the question of experimental modernism</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Physis: Rivista Internazionale di Storia della Scienza</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2005</style></year></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">43</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">305–332</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;In this paper, I take up the question to what extent and in which sense we can conceive of Joan Baptista Van Helmonts (1579-1644) style of experimenting as modern. Connected to this question, I shall reflect upon what Van Helmonts precise contribution to experimental practice has been. I will argue  after having analysed some of Van Helmonts experiments such as his tree experiment, ice experiment, and thermoscope experiment  that Van Helmont had a strong preference to locate experimental designs in places wherein variables can be more easily controlled (and, ultimately, in relatively closed physical systems such as, paradigmatically, the vessel, globe, or sphere [vas, globus, sphera]). After having reviewed some alternative options, I shall argue that Van Helmonts usage of relatively isolated physical systems and a moderate degree of quantification is the feature that best characterizes his contributions to modern experimentation.&lt;/p&gt;</style></abstract></record></records></xml>