Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1780

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Preferred Citation:

Recueil de quelques préparations, galeniques et chimiques, before 1789, Ms. Codex 1780, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

before 1786 (inclusive)

Form:

Formularies, Recipes, Prescriptions, and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

An eighteenth century, leather-bound volume with a fish scale pattern spine stamped in gold and a label that reads "recettes diverses." The volume contains a collection of pharmaceutical recipes providing remedies for various ailments on 140 pages. Each page has a black ink double ruled border. A majority of the recipes have explanations for usage and dosage

This leather-bound volume has a fish scale pattern spine stamped in gold with a label that reads "recettes diverses." The volume contains a collection of pharmaceutical recipes providing remedies for various ailments on 140 pages. Each page has a black ink double ruled border. A majority of the recipes have explanations for usage and dosage. Medicinal preparations include elixirs, ointments, pills, plasters, powders, teas, and washes. Prescriptions for maladies such as dizziness, dropsy, dysentery, epilepsy, eye diseases, gonorrhea, hysterical vapors, rheumatism, ringworm, skin sores, seasickness, smallpox, and toothaches are included. Instructional passages appear in the volume such as how to alleviate a difficult labor, how to rescue a drowning person, how to save a person suffocated by vapors, and to aid newborns appearing to be dead. A section with an explanation of the intestines is included. Formulas for toiletries such as tooth powder and shaving cream are in the volume. There are also prescriptions to cure ailments of horses. In a different hand at the end of the volume on seventeen unnumbered pages are formulas for a variety of varnishes, paints, inks, and colors dated 1772. The author's name preceding "en 1758" has been effaced on the title page. There is an alphabetical index at the end of the volume. On the verso of the title page is a hand colored armorial device with the initials H. D. on a shield with a bassoon, a rifle, and a sword. Two animals, most likely dogs, flank the crowned oval shaped device. Written on the verso of the marbled endpaper and scratched in the front cover is H. Penchenier. The signature of A. Penchenier is on the verso of the first endpaper. The title page and leaves at end are in red and black ink.