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Elements of chemical philosophy, 1812
Davy outlines the basics of chemistry as it was understood in the early 19th century, explaining the laws that govern chemical reactions, detailing the properties of various substances, and classifying chemicals based on their interactions with one another. He describes the goals of chemistry as discovering the causes of chemical reactions and applying that knowledge to use chemicals in ways that benefit people. Mary Shelley recorded in her diary that she was reading this book when she was writing Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus (1818).
Courtesy National Library of Medicine
Topic:
ChemistryCreator:
Humphry Davy (1778–1829)
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