In 18th century academic medicine was formed through the interplay of theory and practice. This scientific development will be shown by the example of Friedrich Hoffmann's twelve-volume collection of case studies "Medicina consultatoria". The correlation of theoretical assumptions (humoralism, four temperaments, mechanistic understanding of the body) and therapeutic practice (bloodletting, sweating therapy, water cure) will be pointed out. It will become clear that Hoffmann's statements on diagnosis and prognosis as well as his general view on therapeutic measures arose as a logical consequence of the pathological concept. The same holds true for his advice on lifestyle and nutrition, which formed part of the medical therapy.