Cachet (christophe) - Pandora Bacchica. Published In Toul, In 1614, By Philippi, Modern Binding.

CACHET (Christophe) - Pandora bacchica furens, medicis armis oppugnata. Tulli (Toul), Apud Sebastianum Philippi, 1614; in-12, XXII-456 pp. and 11 table pages, modern full vellum binding, smooth spine. Pandora bacchica furens, medicis armis oppugnata… This publication by Christophe Cachet, which appeared in Toul in 1614, is the translation into Latin of the Discours de l'yvresse et yvrongnerie… by his colleague and colleague Jehan (Jean) Mousin, which Sébastien Philippe had edited two years ago, in-8 and in 390 pages. This work was in French, which was rare for medical books at that time, and so it is found here in a more usual form in Latin. Mousin was also a physician to the ducal court, and like Cachet, he was ennobled by the duke. Cachet's translation has not enriched his colleague's work, contrary to what the frontispiece announces. The Discourse… presents itself as a sort of manual and vade mecum organized into sixty-seven chapters, two of which are followed by “problems”. Each of them is made up of a small text preceded by a precise title such as: “That wine is a truly beneficial and medicinal food” or “How does drunkenness occur” or even “That women do not have not been exempt from the vice of drunkenness", but also "How to protect yourself from drunkenness" and "Cure from drunkenness". The end of the title, long as usual, indicates that the work is intended for “the satisfaction of the curious”. Christophe Cachet (1572-1624) came from Mirecourt (or Neufchâteau according to other sources) in the Vosges. He studied medicine in Italy in Padua, then law in Switzerland, in Fribourg. He was briefly physician in ordinary to Duke Charles III (1603) who ennobled him and took him as an advisor. He is also advisor to Duke Henry II. The latter, a fervent follower of alchemy, did not hold it against him for taking a firm stand against the alchemists in a work published in 1617 and entitled: Apologia dogmatica in hermetici cujusd'am Anonymi scriptum de curatione calculi... He also became advisor to Francis II and Charles IV. He published several works: one is entitled: Vray et asseuré condom de smallpox and measles, the other is a Treatise on medicine published in 1622 in Nancy by Charlot. He is very strongly opposed to any form of charlatanism. With other doctors of that time, he examined Elisabeth de Ranfaing, whom he was convinced was possessed by the devil: "He entrusted the accused to the exorcists without qualms." He had other strings to his bow. He published a collection of Latin verses and another of so-called equestrian epigrams, accounts of his travels. He died in 1624. Numerous foxing. Extremely rare medical work in Latin on alcohol.