This book goes into detail about the origins of the Apothecary, and its development throughout history. Thompson goes over how past civilizations used the art of the apothecary, such as the Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Illustrations are included throuhout the book, with some depicting how apothecaries shops looked in the 1500s and 1600s. There is an inscription on the front free endpaper. The binding after the front free endpaper, and the back free endpaper, is fragile, but still holding together.