PIRIA, RAFFAELE. - THE DISCOVERY OF SALICIN - ASPIRIN.

Recherches sur la Salicine et les produits qui en dérivent.

Paris, Bachelier, 1839. 4to. No wrappers. In: "Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de L'Academie des Sciences", Tome VIII, No 13. Pp. (459-) 504. (Entire issue offered). Piria's paper: pp. 479-485.

First apperance of a main paper in pharmacology, describing the discovery of Salicylic acid compound, giving it the empirical formula C7H6O3. It is the most successful drug in history. A trillion tablets are consumed every year. Used to treat everything from headaches to heart disease, from rheumatism to cancer - scientists are still struggling to understand all its qualities. But aspirin can truly claim the title of wonder drug.

Raffaele Piria (20 August 1814 - 18 July 1865), an Italian chemist from Scilla who converted the substance Salicin into a sugar and a second component, which on oxidation becomes salicylic acid, a major component of an analgesic drug, Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).

Garrison & Morton No 1857.

Order-nr.: 47232