SECRETI DIVERSI ET MIRACOLOSI

VENETIA: APPRESSO CAMILLO FRANCESCHINI , 1582. Rara edizione del 1582 di questo affascinante libro di segreti attribuito all'anatomista Gabriele Falloppio (1523-1562). L'opera venne pubblicata per la prima volta nel 1563. L'autore fu medico chirurgo, farmacologo, professore di farmacia a Ferrara, di anatomia a Pisa e di anatomia chirurgica e botanica a Padova. Famosi i suoi studi sull'apparato genitale femminile. Sosteneva di aver inventato il preservativo come sistema contro la sifilide. La prima parte totalmente dedicata a preparazioni e rimedi di medicina. Seguono segreti, curiosità e ricette alchemiche (far diventare i capelli biondi, un'acqua peer dissolvere l'oro, per fare di piombo oro e oro d'argento, fare l'elebrot, salem armoniaco, erba borissa, morrtificare l'argento vivo, per colorire l'oro scolorito, fare il cinaprio, come fare l'ambra e il corallo, dileguare il cristallo, fare l'elixir che serve molto all'alchimia, purificare lo stagno, per far ingravidare le donne, per troavre un annegato in acqua che non si trovasse, modo di far nascere le fave e le altre semente in quattro ore, oppio finissimo da far dormire ecc... "Underlying these works was the assumption that nature was a repository of occult forces that might be manipulated, not by the magus's cunning, but merely by the use of correct techniques. The utilitarian character of the books of secrets gave concrete substance to this claim. Unlike the recondite treatises on the philosophical foundations of magic, which barely touched base with the real world, the books of secrets were grounded upon a down-to-earth, experimental outlook: they did not affirm underlying principles but taught 'how to.' Hence they seemed to hold forth a real and accessible promise of power. What they revealed were recipes, formulas, and 'experiments' associated with one of the crafts or with medicine: for example, instructions for making quenching waters to harden iron and steel, recipes for mixing dyes and pigments, 'empirical' remedies, cooking recipes, and practical alchemical formulas such as a jeweler or tinsmith might use. By the eighteenth century such 'secrets' were techniques and nothing more. In the sixteenth century, however, the term was still densely packed with its ancient and medieval connotations: the association with esoteric wisdom, the domain of occult or forbidden knowledge, the artisan's cunning. and the political power that attended knowledge of secrets" (Eamon, Science and the Secrets of Nature, pp. 4-5). Antiche note manoscritte marginali e antiche ricette alla prima carta bianca. Firma al frontespizio. In buone condizioni. Copertina in piena pergamena con titolo manoscritto al dorso in buone condizioni con lievi usure marginali. Legatura in discrete condizioni con lievi rotture. Pagine in buone condizioni con fioriture. Lievi gore d'umidità marginali. In 16. cm 15x10. Pp. (12)+360.Scarce edition of 1582 of this amazing book of segrets attribuited to the anatomist Gabriele Falloppio (1523-1562). The work was published for the first time in 1563. The author ws surgeonm pharmacologist, teacher of pharmaceutical in Ferrara, of anatomy in Pisa and of surgical anatomy and botany in Padoa. The studies about female apparatus are very famous. He told he invented the preservative as a system against syphilis. The first part is totally dedicated to preparations and remedies of medicine. Then sergets, curiosities and alchemic recipes many of them how to transform metals in gold. "Underlying these works was the assumption that nature was a repository of occult forces that might be manipulated, not by the magus's cunning, but merely by the use of correct techniques. The utilitarian character of the books of secrets gave concrete substance to this claim. Unlike the recondite treatises on the philosophical foundations of magic, which barely touched base with the real world, the books of secrets were grounded upon a down-to-earth, experimental outlook: they did not affirm underlying principles but taught 'how to.' Hence they seemed to hold forth a real and accessible promise of power. What they revealed were recipes, formulas, and 'experiments' associated with one of the crafts or with medicine: for example, instructions for making quenching waters to harden iron and steel, recipes for mixing dyes and pigments, 'empirical' remedies, cooking recipes, and practical alchemical formulas such as a jeweler or tinsmith might use. By the eighteenth century such 'secrets' were techniques and nothing more. In the sixteenth century, however, the term was still densely packed with its ancient and medieval connotations: the association with esoteric wisdom, the domain of occult or forbidden knowledge, the artisan's cunning. and the political power that attended knowledge of secrets" (Eamon, Science and the Secrets of Nature, pp. 4-5). Some handwritten notes in the edges and antique manuscript of recipes in the first white page. Signature in the title page. In good conditions. Full parchment cover with handwritten title in the spine in good general conditions lightly worn in the extremities. Binding in fair conditions with light cracks. Inside pages are in good conditions with foxing. Light dumpt stains in the edges. In 16. cm 15x10. Pp. (12)+360.