FOURCROY, [Antoine François] de, and [Jean Jacques] DELAPORTE.

A Paris: Chez Cuchet… .1788

8vo, 2 leaves, pp. (vii)–xx, 385, (1). Half-title, woodcut head- and tailpiece. Contemporary sheep-backed boards, flat spine gilt with red and green morocco labels, also a white ownership label and paper shelf label (joints cracked but still firm, head of spine worn). Calligraphic stamp of Dr. Ch. Mayor on title.

FIRST EDITION. At the behest of the Faculty of Medicine, and “with the collaboration of Delaporte (of the Royal Society of Medicine) Fourcroy made very detailed analyses of the waters of Enghien, in the valley of Montmorency, and a large quantity was brought to Paris for further study. A full account of these waters was read by Fourcroy at ten successive meetings of the society and subsequently published in the present book… A balneological and analytical chemical classic, which is ‘entirely chemical in content’ (Duveen)” (Neville). As a result of this analysis the waters were recommended for various ailments, and Enghien developed into a fashionable resort. The book includes two further studies, on the waters of Vaugirard and of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (by Chappon), and bound in after this copy is the earlier 24-page analysis (Rapport fait par…la Faculté de Médecine. Pour l’Examen des Eaux d’Enghien…”) published in 1785, as a result of which sulphur was found to be present, and the waters were put on sale or distributed free to the poor. Cole 486. Duveen p. 225. Neville I, p. 474. Smeaton, Fourcroy, pp. 21–22 and 115–117 for a full account of these two works; bibliography no. 30.

Unsure of some of these terms? Click here to download a copy of Carter & Barker, ABC for Book Collectors (2006), which has full explanations.