To: alt.magick
From: Leigh Daniels
Subj: Alchemy (0000.alchemy.ld)
Date: unknown

The only woman-alchemist I know of is Marie La Juive (Mary the Jew).  She
lived in Alexandria in the IV century A.D.

As for the Adept's process of 'transmutation', it's as I have read it.
A story exists concerning the process, though it's more myth than observed
fact. It comes from Nicolas Flamel's story.  The story is about an apoticary
and a friend who find a strange whiteish powder.  The friend takes a spoonfull
and dies.  The apoticary, having taken only a tiny grain, becomes prey to an
intense fever, looses hair, teeth and nails.  As soon as the fever breaks,
he begins growing back his hair and the rest.  He looks younger and healthier.

Ladislas.