Written by an eminent neurochemist and historian of neurochemistry, this volume provides an account of the first chemical analyses of the human brain. These studies were conducted by five French chemists - Thouret, Fourcroy, Vauquelin, Couerbe, and Fremy - between 1791 and 1841, and represent a crucial transition from the end of alchemy to the beginnings of modern neurochemistry. The studies demonstrate the emergence of key concepts about the composition of the human brain, especially the structures of cerebral lipids. Dr. Tower chronicles these five chemists" lives and scientific activities and presents the original French texts of their published papers, along with annotated English translations. These papers, collected in one volume and translated, comprise a source book that has never before been available to non-French readers. The book is amply illustrated and includes extensive bibliographies.