Science and Civilisation in China. Volume 5: Chemistry and Chemical Technology: Part 3: Spagyrical Discovery and Invention: Historical Survey, from Cinnabar Elixirs to Synthetic Insulin

Needham Joseph. Science and Civilisation in China Vol. 5 Chemistry and Chemical Technology - Part 3 Spagyrical Discovery and Invention - Historical Survey, from Cinnabar Elixirs to Synthetic Insulin 1976 [pdf 529sc 481c. 51.76mb] The fifth volume of Dr Needham's immense undertaking, like the fourth, is subdivided into parts for ease of presentation and assimilation, each part bound and published separately. The volume as a whole covers the subjects of alchemy, early chemistry, and chemical technology (which includes military invention, especially gunpowder; paper and printing; textiles; mining and metallurgy; the salt industry; and ceramics). In this sub-section we must try to lay bare the roots of chemistry in Chinese culture; a development inspired by the profound belief that longevity and material immortality were possible, and that these that these could be attained by a variety of practical techniques.