The chemical and physiological balance of organic nature : an essay / by J. Dumas and J.B. Boussingault ; edited by D.P. Gardner.

  • Dumas, J.-B. (Jean-Baptiste), 1800-1884.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The chemical and physiological balance of organic nature : an essay / by J. Dumas and J.B. Boussingault ; edited by D.P. Gardner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    13/182
    PREFACE. There have been in Chemistry and all experi- mental sciences, epochs in which the accumulating facts of many years have led to great discoveries. Such were the periods of the separation of the at- mospheric gasses, the synthesis of water, the estab- lishment of a chemical nomenclature, the analysis of alkaline and earthy bodies, the process of organic analysis by Liebig. These events are important to the progress of science by interesting large numbers of persons not devoted to its cultivation. For a time scientific facts intrude even into the discussions of fashionable assemblies, because of their novelty ; but hitherto they have made little permanent impression. A new epoch has arrived in Chemistry. The functions of organized bodies, the laws of life, are the subjects of investigation. It is destined to be far more brilliant and important than any which has gone before. It does not promise to satisfy the curiosity of the people only, but to unfold truths of the most serious consequence to our species. Medicine, Agri- culture, Political Economy, will per force be illus- trated by Chemistry. Hitherto the mass of mankind