{"product_id":"1768-pharmacopoeia-londinensis-historic-medical-reference-book","title":"1768 Pharmacopoeia Londinensis - Historic Medical Reference Book","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fascinating book for those interested in the history of medicine. A book detailing the precise preparation of chemical compounds, herbal tinctures, and standard weights used by Enlightenment-era apothecaries. Here is a very good antique copy of the Pharmacopoeia Londinensis. Undated, but can be pinpointed to having been published in 1768. This copy LACKS the title page and starts on the contents page. Otherwise complete. In a modern, fine binding and in very good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA historic medical text first published in May 1618 by the Royal College of Physicians. Backed by a royal proclamation from King James I, it was a landmark publication that became the first legally binding, mandatory standard list of medical drugs and recipes for the entire country. Before its publication, apothecaries and doctors mixed medicines according to their own random recipes, creating dangerous inconsistencies. The Pharmacopoeia established strict regulations: no one in England was allowed to concoct or sell any medicine unless the ingredients and instructions matched this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original 1618 text was written entirely in Latin. It was strictly meant as a workplace manual for trained medical professionals, not a self-help guide for the public. It contained standard systems for weights and measures, an extensive catalogue of raw ingredients, and recipes for 430 compound medicines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Royal College of Physicians famously stripped the Pharmacopoeia of \"superstitious\" remedies in 1746. Later editions such as this one lack the likes of animal parts, viper meat, and skull-moss, and rely instead on organized botanical and chemical names. The College hired Dr Henry Pemberton, a brilliant professor of physic at Gresham College, to test the recipes chemically. When the new book was finished, the College granted Pemberton the exclusive copyright to translate it into English. He added his own \"Narrative of the Proceedings\" at the beginning to explain why the committee threw out the weird medieval ingredients and how they modernized the recipes. This copy contains that narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInside the pages are clean and tightly bound. Has a purple stamp of a previous owner at the top of the Contents page, but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. Two of the pages have had a square of paper cut from the outside margin (but not effecting the text) see photos. A few folded corners. There is the occasional spot or blemish. A more modern rebinding results in new endpapers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a polished calf leather binding with marbled papered sides. Red Moroccan leather title plate has gilt titles and there are five raised bands to the spine. All in top order - with just the odd light scuff to the leather, but minor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour antique copy of Pharmacopoeia Londinensis will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH 20.5 cm x W 13.5 cm, 414 pages, 0.53 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can follow my news and updates on Instagram @bumperboxofdelights\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bumper Box of Delights Bookshop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50112294748397,"sku":null,"price":201.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0351\/1068\/2669\/files\/20260604-113207.jpg?v=1781625720","url":"https:\/\/bumperboxofdelights.com\/en-nl\/products\/1768-pharmacopoeia-londinensis-historic-medical-reference-book","provider":"Bumper Box of Delights Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}