Secrets of a Lady Alchemist

Very little is known of the life of Marie Meudrac, but it appears that she was the first woman to author a printed book on chemistry. La Chymie Charitable et 

The Rayner-Canhams note that her work was based on the three alchemical principles, sulfur, mercury and salt, but presented clear discussions of useful chemical operations The book consists of six partsd  

Part 2— Simples —methods of preparation and treatment Part 3—Animals Part 4—Metals 

FIGURE 122. The third edition (1687) of the first chemistry book published by a woman, Marie Meurdrac. The first edition was published in 1656. This wonderful pocket-size book was dedicated to Madame La Comtesse De Guiche and includes a sonnet to Mademoiselle Meurdrac s book by a Mademoiselle D.I. 

Meudrac s doubts about publishing her work were summarized in her preface 

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