LIÉBAULT, Jean.

by Jean Liébault

£4,950 · Offered by Sokol Books

Important work that marks the beginning of Paracelsian chemical medicine in France by the renowned doctor and agronomist, Jean Li ébault (1535-1596), husband of Renaissance feminist poet Nicole Estienne (c. 1542-1588) and son in law of revered medical writer Charles Estienne (1504-1564). This work builds on the tradition laid out by Hieronymus Brunschwig, Philipp Ulstad and Conrad Gesner, discussing techniques of distillation using a variety of substances including oil, brandy, mercury and gold. It derives heavily from Gesner s Theasaurus De remediis secretis and involves a great deal of reference to Galenic medical practices. Li ébault recommends the distillation and consumption of mercury, vitriol and antimony, claiming that distilling them reduces their toxicity and increases their many health benefits. This text was published shortly after the Paris Faculty of Medicine condemned such practices. Li ébault begins by defining distillation and reviewing its accepted and varied techniques, e.g. by bain-marie or under the sun. He then discusses a number of distillates, for example tormentil (a herbaceous plant), and claims it is beneficial for ulcers, fistulas, internal wounds, dropsy and fevers. He goes on to mention other distillates like eggs, turtles, partridges, snakes, blood and even human excrement. Gesner was the first to define essential oils as the oily substances that emerges from some organic materials following distillation. Li ébault continues extolling the virtue

• Binding: Hardcover

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