The Physico-Medical Society was founded in Würzburg on December 2nd 1849. Key figures in its establishment included the anatomist Albert Koelliker (1817-1905), the pathologist Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), the pharmacologist Franz von Rinecker (1811-1883), and the clinical chemist Johann Joseph von Scherer (1814-1869).

The goal of the society and its founding members was to promote all fields of medicine and natural sciences, to research the "natural-historical and medical conditions of Franconia", to encourage practicing physicians to engage in scientific activity, and to provide students with the opportunity to "observe their teachers in the midst of their research" through public events. Similar goals were also pursued by the Würzburg Philosophical-Medical Society, founded in 1827, which merged into the younger Societas Physico-Medica in 1853.

As evidenced by handwritten and printed meeting minutes, regular scientific meetings and discussions of specialist lectures were a fixed part of the society's activities. Continuing this tradition, monthly scientific meetings with predominantly interdisciplinary topics are held during the academic semester to this day.

Since 1850, the members of the Physico-Medical Society have published their research findings in three society-owned journals: the Proceedings of the Physical-Medical Society, the Würzburg Medicinal Journal, and the Würzburg Journal of Natural Sciences. All three periodicals are fully accessible through the digital journal collection of the University Library of Würzburg.

Additionally, unique handwritten minute volumes, printed statutes, commemorative publications, and library catalogues bear witness to the activities of the Physico-Medical Society. Digital versions of these texts are presented by the University Library of Würzburg in a dedicated collection on Franconica – The Collections Portal. The society's extensive book collection was entrusted to the University Library for care and supervision as early as 1880.

Information about the history and current activities of the Physico-Medical Society can be found on the society's official homepage.