Animal Oil, Wound Balm, Prussian Blue, the Fire and Light Principium and the Philosophers’ Stone Made from Phosphorus: on the 350th Birthday of the Chymist Johann Conrad Dippel (1673-1734)

Abstract

On the basis of many newly found archival sources and a close study of his relevant books, the life story of the chymist Johann Conrad Dippel is re-described. The preparation of his most important chymical products, i.e. animal oil, wound balm, and Prussian blue, is described. His own chymical theory was build around a fire and light principium. For decades, Dippel tried to find a process for the preparation of the philosophers’ stone. He was convinced that phosphorus was the right starting material for this. This article does not deal with his theological and philosophical views and undertakings or his medical practice, but is focused on Dippel the chymist.

Keywords

• alchemy
• chymistry
• Prussian Blue
• phosphorus
• philosophers' stone