BORRICHUS, or BORCH, OLAUS, one of the most learned men of his age, was born in 1626, at Borchen in Denmark. He studied medicine at Copenhagen, and began to practise during a terrible plague which ravaged that city. He was appointed professor of botany and chemistry; and in 1660 he visited Holland, England, and France; was received as doctor at Angers; and visited Rome in 1665. In the course of his travels he attended the most celebrated schools, and was selected by Queen Christina as her master in chemistry. He returned to Copenhagen in 1666, and discharged the duties of his office with great assiduity, as his works abundantly testify. He was made a member of the supreme council of justice in 1686, and counsellor of the royal chancery in 1689. He died of the operation of lithotomy in 1690.
The following are the principal works of Borrichus:—1. Doctri- naria Metallica, Copenhagen, 1660, 8vo; 2. De Ortu et Progressu Chemici Dissertatio, ibid. 1668, 4to; 3. Hermetis, Egyptiorum, et Chemicorum Serpientia, ibid. 1674, 4to; 4. Linguae Pharmacopoeorum, ibid. 1670, 4to; 5. Copiationes de variis Linguae Atalibus, ibid. 1675, 8vo; 6. De Causis diversitatis Linguarum, ibid. 1675, 4to; 7. De Somno et Somniferis, Francfort, 1680, 1683, 4to; 8. De Uva Plantarum Indigenarum in Medicina, Copenhagen, 1688, 1690, 8vo; 9. Dissertationes V. de Pontis Graeci et Latini, ibid. 1676; 10. Conspectus Chemicorum Scriptorum Illustriorum, ibid. 1696, 4to; 11. De Antiqua Urbe Romae Facie, ibid. 1697, 8vo; 12. De Urbis Romae Primordii, ibid. 1687, 4to; 8c, &c.