Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 5: Chemistry and Chemical Technology: Part 5: Spagyrical Discovery and Invention: Physiological Alchemy

Needham Joseph. Science and Civilisation in China Vol. 5 Chemistry and Chemical Technology - Part 5 Spagyrical Discovery and Invention - Physiological Alchemy 1983 [pdf 600sc 574c. 55.56mb] The fifth volume of Dr Needham's immense undertaking, like the fourth, is subdivided into parts for ease of assimilation and presentation, 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 and rockets; paper and printing; textiles; mining and metallurgy; the salt industry; and ceramics). The science of alchemy (ars alchimica) [said Martin Luther in the middle of the + 16th century], a I like very well, and indeed it is truly the natural philosophy of the ancients.