[[Medicinal broths in the books by Nicolas Lemery, a reflection of scientific developments?]

From Ancient times, medicinal broths have been an integral part of the diet fed to patients and convalescents. At the end of 17th century, medical and pharmaceutical knowledge and practices were to enter a period of major upheavals. Although also hitherto discredited, chemical drugs became all the rage, work in chemistry boomed and broths benefited. Do the first editions of the works of Nicolas Lemery reflect the knowledge of his time ? Do last editions ­ revised, corrected, annotated and completed ­ really reflect transformations in scientific disciplines, technological developments, and scientific advances, particularly in chemistry?