Chemistry meteorology and the function of digestion considered with reference to natural theology

London: William Pickering, 1834. SECOND EDITION. With folding colored map and table, leaf of publisher’s advertisement before the first blank and small advertisement for a new publication by the author tipped in at the end. Original publisher’s cloth, spine label, binding worn, spine sunned, minor bumping and foot of spine frayed; interior with some minor spotting. Ownership signature of David Wright (1860-1895), Vicar of Stoke Bishop and printed label indicating the presentation of this volume by Wright’s widow to The Church House in February, 1921. Second edition, published the same year as the first, with the folding colored map. The last of the original eight volumes of the Bridgewater treatises, separate works which were intended to explore “the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, as manifested in the Creation.” With the progress of scientific inquiry in the nineteenth century and the conflicts between concepts of teleology and scientific discoveries, these treatises supported canonical scientific views at the time, exploring the natural world within a framework of a divine designer. Prout’s text covers chemistry, geology, the ocean, the planets, and processes of the human body, all with the intention of identifying and confirming the existence of the Creator’s intelligent design in nature. He covers current understanding of matter, inertia, and other chemical principles, formation of the earth, distribution of heat and light, temperature, and adaptation of humans to climate, and physiological aspects of digestion.

Prout (1785-1850), one of the pioneers of physiological chemistry, studied medicine at Edinburgh University and completed his training at St. Thomas Guy’s Hospital in London, afterwards specializing in digestive and urinary complaints. He enjoyed a considerable reputation in Europe as a research and theoretical chemist, as well as a practicing physician. Among his important contributions to the application of chemistry to medicine and physiology was proof that the gastric juice contains free hydrocloric acid.

Garrison & Morton, 987.