Beschreibung:

PASTEUR, Louis (1822-1895). Thses de physique et de chimie, prsentes la Facult des Sciences de Paris, le aout 1847 . Paris: Bachelier, 1847. 4 o (268 x 216 mm). Text wood-engravings. Original green printed wrappers. Provenance : Charles Chappuis (presentation inscription from the author "A mon excellent ami Chappuis L. Pasteur"). FIRST EDITION. PRESENTATION COPY OF PASTEUR'S VERY RARE DOCTORAL THESIS. Charles Chappuis was Pasteur's closest friend during his studies at the cole Normale in Paris. Pasteur's thesis in chemistry was entitled Recherches sur la capacit de saturation de l'acide arsnieux. tude des arsnites de potasse, de soude et d'ammoniaque ; and his thesis in physics 1.tude des phnomnes relatifs la polarisation rotatoire des liquides. 2. Application de la polarisation rotatoire des liquides la solution de diverses questions de chimie . Pasteur's interest in optical activity, in which his reputation was first made, was formed while preparing these theses. "Begining about 1847, Pasteur carried out an impressive series of investigations into the relation between optical activity, crystalline structures, and chemical composition in organic compounds, particularly tartaric and paratartaric acids. This work focussed attention on the relationship between optical activity and life, and provided much inspiration and several of the most important techniques for an entirely new approach to the study of chemical structure and composition. In essence, Pasteur opened the way to a consideration of atoms in space, and his early memoirs constitute founding documents of stereochemistry" (DSB). Norman 1652.