LEMERY Nicolas Traité universel des drogues simples, mises en ordre alphabétique. Où l’on trouve leurs differens noms, leur origine, leur choix, les principes qu’elles renferment, leurs qualitez, leur ethymologie, et tout ce qu’il y a de particulier dans les Animaux, dans les Vegetaux & dans les Mineraux.

Wellcome, III, 488 ; NLM, 6862 ; Pritzel, 5211 ; DSB, VII, 174.

First edition of this famous classic in pharmacology of the Ancient Regime by the pharmacist Nicolas Lemery (Rouen, 1645 – Paris, 1715), author of the seminal Cours de chymie published in 1675.

“Lemery’s chief contributions to pharmacy were his two complementary works, the Pharmacopée universelle and the Traité des drogues simples. These are alphabetically arranged lists of composite and simples respectively, giving the source, virtues, doses, and therapeutic action of the various medicaments. They represent a comprehensive dictionary of pharmaceuticals. Their chief rival was Pierre Pomet’s Histoire générale des drogues (1694)” (DSB).

Very copy in its contemporary, slightly restored binding, albeit some occasional foxing or small waterstains in the upper corner.

From the library of E.A. Godefroy (XVIIIe siècle engraved book plate).