De fermentatione liber physico-medicus. Cui de inseparabiltate formarum materialium & vita singularia sunt innexa. Omni perpetuis experimentis firmata by KERGER, Martin - 1663

Wittenberg: Sumtibus haered. D. Tobiae Moevii, & Elerdi Schumacheri, typis Johannis Borckardi, 1663. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. 4to (195 x 155 mm). [8], 254 (i.e. 252), [16] pp. including final blank Ll4. Text in Latin with embedded German in blackletter type, floral woodcut initials, one woodcut diagram in text, index and errata leaf bound at end. Recently bound in fine brown half morocco, spine with 5 raised bands, gilt-decorated and gilt-lettered in compartments, red-sprinkled edges, original Text browned throughout, occasional minor spotting, worming at upper margin of few leaves affecting about 4 letters of text. ----

NLM/Krivatsy 6348; Wellcome III, p.387. RARE FIRST EDITION. This alchemical treatise on fermentation by Martin Kerger (1622?-1691) is largely based on the doctrines of van Helmont and Willis. The Author has filled this work with chemical details and uses fermentation to explain digestion. In his book, Kerger also speculates about palingenesis, mentioning a resurrection experiment by Kenelm Digby.
Martin Kerger is disreputably noted for his accusations against the well-known Justina Siegemund, who practised midwifery in Liegnitz at the same time when he was the town physician. Siegemund had to deal with criticism and reproaches by Kerger who accused her in 1680 of the use of unsafe birthing practices. The conflict went to trial, with Kerger styling himself as the guardian of the midwife order, while Siegemund could bring in numerous witnesses, including women she cared for, husbands and other midwives who relieved her. In this difficult situation Friedrich Wilhelm Elector of Brandenburg called the now beyond city limits well-known midwife and appointed Siegemund court midwife of Chur-Brandenburg. This allowed her to escape the course of the legal proceedings. - Visit our website for additional images and information.