Alchemy
Definition
Alchemy refers to an early protoscientific practice combining elements of chemistry, physics, art, semiotics, metallurgy, medicine, astrology, mysticism, and religion. A commonly sought goal of alchemists was to discover a method of transmuting lead into gold. Alchemy can be regarded as the precursor of the modern science of chemistry prior to the formulation of the scientific method. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy, Apr 2004
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