CONQUERING HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION IN 18TH CENTURY EUROPE
PARMENTIER, ANTOINE AUGUSTIN.
Examen chymique des pommes de terre.
Paris, Didot le jeune, 1773.
Large 12mo (167 x 98 mm). In a nice contemporary full mottled calf binding with five raised bands. Spine richly gilt. Boards with gilt frame and edges of boards gilt. Occassional very light browning and a very vague damp-stain in lower outer corner affecting some pages. An overall very nice copy. XXIV, 248, (4)
First edition of Parmentier's groundbreaking work that revolutionized the understanding of potatoes and their biological and chemical properties. Published in 1773, Parmentier's work sheds light on the scientific aspects of potatoes, their nutritional value, and their potential to address food scarcity and malnutrition. Parmentier's work on potatoes was a significant scientific breakthrough. By applying principles of chemistry and experimental analysis, he revealed the rich nutritional content and potential health benefits of this versatile crop. Parmentier's experiments showcased the potato's high water content, carbohydrate content, and its impressive array of vitamins and minerals. He also explored the potato's medicinal properties, using it to treat various ailments such as dysentery and scurvy. The publication of "Examen Chymique des Pommes de Terre" had a profound impact on society. Parmentier's research highlighted the importance of potatoes as a sustainable food source capable of supporting large populations. In an era plagued by famine and general food shortages, Parmentier's findings played a vital role in combating hunger and malnutrition. His efforts to promote potatoes as a staple food contributed to their acceptance and eventual integration into European diets. Parmentier's book had a lasting legacy shaping the fields of botany and chemistry. His meticulous observations and experiments on potatoes laid the groundwork for further scientific studies into plant chemistry and nutrition. Parmentier's work inspired subsequent researchers to explore the chemical composition of various crops, ultimately expanding our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life. Moreover, his promotion of potatoes as a reliable and nutritious food source has left an permanent mark on agricultural practices worldwide. Not in Vicaire, Cagle, or Oberlé.
Permentier aimed at dispelling myths about and prejudices against potatoes, which were considered as food for livestock and were largely neglected as a human food during that era. His discoveries eventually caused Louis XVI, the French Monarch to declare: “La France vous [Parmentier] remerciera un jour d’avoir trouvé le pain des pauvres” (i.e. France will thank you one day for having found the bread of the poor).
Order-nr.: 60413
DKK 40.000,00