Chemistry in its application to agriculture and physiology / by Justus Liebig ; edited from the manuscript of the author by Lyon Playfair.

  • Liebig, Justus, Freiherr von, 1803-1873.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Chemistry in its application to agriculture and physiology / by Justus Liebig ; edited from the manuscript of the author by Lyon Playfair. 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.)

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    TO THE BEITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. One of the most remarkable features of modern times is the combination of large numbers of individuals representing the whole intelligence of nations, for the express purpose of advancing science by their united efforts, of learning its pro- gress, and of communicating new discoveries. The formation of such associations is, in itself., an evidence that they were needed. It is not every one who is called by his situation in life to assist in extending the bounds of science; but all mankind have a claim to the blessings and benefits which accrue from its earnest cultivation. The foundation of scientific institutions is an acknowledgment of these benefits, and this acknowledgment proceeding from whole nations may be considered as the triumph of mind over empiricism. Innumerable are the aids afforded to the means of life, to manufactures and to commerce, by the truths which assiduous and active inquirers have discovered and rendered capable of practical application. But it is not the mere practical utility of these truths which is of importance. Their influence upon mental culture is most beneficial; and the new views acquired by the knowledge of them enable the mind to recognise, in the phenomena of nature, proofs of an Infinite Wisdom, for the unfathomable profundity of which, language has no expression. At one of the meetings of the chemical section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, the honourable task of preparing a Report upon the state of Organic Chemistry was imposed upon me. In the present work I present the Association with a part of this report. I have endeavoured to develope, in a manner correspondent to the present state of science, the fundamental principles of Chemistry in general, and the laws of Organic Chemistry in particular, in their application to Agriculture and Physiology ; to the causes of fermentation, decay, and putrefaction; to the vinous and acetous fermentations, and to nitrification. The conversion of woody fibre into wood and mineral coal, the nature of poisons, contagions, and miasms, and the causes of their action on the living organism, have been elucidated in their chemical relations. I shall be happy if I succeed in attracting the attention of men of science to subjects which so well merit to engage their talents and energies. Perfect Agri- culture is the true foundation of all trade and industry—it is the foundation of the riches of states. But a rational system of Agriculture cannot be formed without the application of scientific principles; for such a system must be based on an exact acquaintance with the means of nutrition of vegetables, and with the in- fluence of soils and action of manure upon them. This knowledge we must seek