Distillation Tools, 1512
Numerous copper and lead utensils and appliances found in the distillation workroom: on the left, various sized forceps to fit vessels and cappels of different widths. On the right is a grating plate which grinds and filters ingredients, each slot approximately one inch (or one finger) thick; a copper cappel; and a copper cappel with handle or pipe placed two fingers width below the rim. Brunschwig's Liber de arte distillandi simplicia et composita (Little Book of Distillation) was one of the earliest books ever written concerning the subjects of chemistry and pharmacology. Printed in Strasbourg in 1512, it is a practical manual on chemical, alchemical, and distillation devices and techniques used to manufacture drug therapies. It includes instructions on how to distill aqua vitae, potable gold, artificial and natural balsams and how to use distillates to treat illnesses in surgical cases. The last of the 16th century herbals, this book is widely regarded to be an important link between the Middle Ages and modern times. Hieronymus Brunschwig (1450 - 1512), was a German physician, surgeon, chemist, and pharmacologist. He was notable for his early work on chemical techniques, as well as his methods of treatment of gunshot wounds. He died in 1512 at the age of 61 or 62.
Size: 2700px × 4127px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1512, 16th, alchemical, alchemy, apparatus, art, arte, artwork, book, braunschweig, brunschwig, brunschwygk, cappel, century, chemistry, composita, copper, de, device, distill, distillandi, distillate, distillation, distillery, distilling, drawing, equipment, forceps, grating, hier, hieronymus, historic, historical, history, illustration, lead, liber, plate, purification, refining, science, simplicia, tools, utensils, woodblock, woodcut
