Editing Andreas Libavius (section)

== Alchemy ==
Libavius is best known for his work as an alchemist above all else. Alchemy was an early science whose goals were to transform matter like turning base metals to gold.<ref name="encyclopedia.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/andreas-libavius-0|title=Andreas Libavius {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2019-07-04}}</ref> Alchemists also tried to find an elixir of life that would allow them to cure all disease.<ref name="encyclopedia.com"/> Alchemy is the study that turned into what we know today as chemistry. Libavius believed that his studies in alchemy would help further advancements in the medical field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/andreas-libavius-0|title=Andreas Libavius |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=2019-07-04}}</ref>

In 1597 Libavius published ''Alchemia'', a textbook that summarized all the discoveries alchemists had made at this point. ''Alchemia'' was organized into four parts: what to have in a laboratory, descriptions of procedures, chemical analysis, and transmutation. Publishing such a book was blasphemous, as many alchemists wanted to keep their findings to themselves to prevent their findings from being misused. Libavius thought that knowledge should be shared if it could be used to help better mankind.

His studies in alchemy led to many new discoveries in chemistry. He discovered methods to prepare a number of chemicals like [[hydrochloric acid]], ammonium sulfate and tin chloride.<ref name="encyclopedia.com"/> He also recorded the dangers of alchemy, as most of it was done in homes, and proposed the development of a series of laboratories, called chemical houses, to make alchemy a safer practice.<ref name="encyclopedia.com"/>