
audiobook
by C. J. S. (Charles John Samuel) Thompson
From the earliest recorded recipes scribbled on ancient papyri to the elaborate formulations of the eighteenth century, this work traces the intertwined paths of medicine, alchemy, and pharmacy. The author guides listeners through the dusty archives of Egypt, describing how humble ingredients like honey, beer, and onions were combined with incantations to treat ailments, and how those early healers balanced practical observation with superstition. Vivid excerpts from the Ebers Papyrus and the Kahun tablets bring the reader into a world where the line between science and sorcery was fluid.
As the narrative moves forward, it reveals how those primitive practices laid the groundwork for modern pharmacology, highlighting forgotten pioneers whose careful experiments echo in today’s laboratories. Rich illustrations, once featured in a historic pharmaceutical journal, accompany the text, offering visual glimpses of ancient apothecary tools and mystical symbols. Listeners will come away with a fresh appreciation for how centuries‑old curiosity and trial‑and‑error continue to shape our understanding of healing.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (368K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Clarity, eagkw and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2014-09-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1943
A British physician, pharmacist, and popular writer, he turned medical history, old remedies, poisons, and even magic into lively reading for a wide audience. His books mix scholarship with curiosity, making the strange corners of science and folklore feel wonderfully close at hand.
View all books