Elément de chymie, suivant les principes de Becker & de Stahl

First edition. One folding plate at the end of volume I on chemical symbols.
Contemporary full marbled blonde sheep binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Beige sheep title and volume labels. Set rubbed throughout. Headcaps worn. Scratches to boards. Corners slightly bumped. Upper joint of volume I cracked, lower joint of volume I cracked at foot. Lower joint of volume IV split at head over the first 3 compartments; upper joint cracked at head.
Treatise and manual of chemistry according to the German theories of Becker and Stahl. Becker originated the phlogiston theory, which held that a principle of combustion was present and active in air, a theory that would be disproved by Lavoisier's experiments on combustion. This phlogiston theory was perfected by Stahl. Demachy devoted his life to spreading German chemistry and successfully translated various treatises. Demonstrator of natural history at the College of Chemistry founded by Louis XVI, Demachy held this position from 1777 to 1801 and, faithful to German theories, refused the evolution of chemistry introduced by Lavoisier and others. Demachy's work is very comprehensive on the history of chemistry and contemporary knowledge.