Recherches Chimiques sur l'Étain, faites et publiées par Ordre du Gouvernement; ou Réponse a cette Question: Peut-on sans aucun danger employer les Vaisseaux d'Etain dans l'usage économique

viii, 285 pp. 8vo, cont. blue boards (corners & head of spine a bit worn), spine gilt. Paris: P.D. Pierres, 1781. First edition. "This government ordered study was undertaken to determine whether tin from various sources contains arsenic in large enough amounts to make the use of vessels of tin harmful to health. Bayen and Charlard (Rouelle had been named to work with them but he died before the work began) repeated the experiments of Marggraf and added new ones. Their conclusion was that tin contained no arsenic or only minute harmless traces. In the course of the many experiments the nature and reactions of tin were examined in detail. The Avant-Propos contains a history of tin."-Cole 64. Bayen (1725-98), was one of the first to doubt the phlogiston theory and performed noteworthy experiments on calcination; he is considered a forerunner of Lavoisier. Very good copy. ❧ D.S.B., I, pp. 529-30. Duveen, p. 54. Neville, I, p. 101-"A classic work." Partington, III, pp. 394-99.