By Gesner, Conrad; Aneau, Barthelemy, translator; Philiatre; Evonyme TRESOR DES REMEDES SECRETZ. LIVRE PHYSIC, MEDICAL, ALCHYMIC, & DISPENSATIF DE TOUTES SUBSTANTIALES LIQUEURS, & APPAREIL DE VINS DE DIVERSES SAVEURS, NECESSAIRE A TOUTES GENS, PRINCIPALEMENT A MEDICINS, CHIRURGIENS, & APOTHICAIRES 1558: Lyon, Vefue De Balthazar Arnoullet Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged 12mo 7" - 7½" tall 440 pp G+/ [xlviii], 440, [vi] pp Bound in 18th century full brown calf with five raised bands, charming type stamped label and "Lyon 1558" neatly hand written in ink on the bottom panel. Covers rubbed and a bit scuffed, one tiny wormhole near the bottom of the spine. Binding is very tight and solid. Quite attractive on the shelf. Numerous lovely engraved woodcuts scattered throughout the book, many of various types and methods of distillation along with a number of plants and flowers along with a distinctive image on the title page. Interior pages showing infrequent marginalia, pages are generally quite bright but with a curious browning (apparently humidity staining) throughout the book, much like tidelines but quiet inconsistent and no other evidence of moisture damage. A few minor worm holes here and there. Paper in very nice condition. Pleasing decorative initials throughout the book. Lacking the front blank, title page showing a few early ink notes and doodling, front pastedown with numerous pencil notations and an interesting early previous owners woodcut bookplate depicting a collection of stills. Lacking pages 407-410, obviously a binding mishap as there is no evidence of the pages ever being bound in. Early pencil inscription on the front pastedown humerously(? ) notes "IL Mangue[sic] les pages 407-408 409-410". Title page and next 5 leaves have old cleanly done repairs to the top corner not affecting text. Gessner (1516-1565) was a well known Swiss scientist, physician, naturalist, bibliographer and philologist. This being an anonymous second French edition including his work on distillation, alchemy, medicine and therapeutics, including his "secret remedies" for surgeons and apothecaries. Arnoullet had rights to publish this French version starting with the First Edition in 1555. Included were various methods of distillation and extraction supposedly making it possible to compose medicines from various substances such as plants, wood, metals, animal parts, excrement and blood, among other ingredients. Includes ideas for creating syrups, aromatic wines and perfumes as well. Very popular in its time and now surprisingly scarce. Overall a well aged and used but still very decent and functional copy. PLEASE CONTACT US VIA THE EMAIL LINK TO PURCHASE THIS TITLE.