Berkeley, Recherches sur les vertus de l'eau de goudron
BERKELEY, George. Recherches sur les vertus de l'eau de goudron.
Liege, Charles Collette, s.d.[v.1750].
350 €
Small 8vo (16.5x10.2 cm), 18-(2)-132 pages. binding: Contemporary full mottled calf, gilt flat spine, title in gilt on lettering-piece, marbled endpapers.
Berkeley had observed the use of tar-water among the native Americans and came to regard it as a panacaea in medicine, setting up an apparatus for its manufacture. "He recommends it not only in fevers, diseases of the lungs, cancers, scrofula, throat diseases, apoplexies, chronic disorders of all kinds, but also as a general drink for infants. It strengthens their bodies and sharpens their intellects. It is good for cattle. It is good for all climates, land and sea, for rich and poor, high and low livers, and he had himself drunk a gallon of it in a few hours.
Rare edition given by Charles Collette.
