LESLIE, Peter (or Patrick) Dugud.

A Philosophical Inquiry into the Cause of Animal Heat: with Incidental Observations on Several Phisiological and Chymical Questions, connected with the Subject.

viii, 362 pp. 8vo, cont. tree calf, flat spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. London: S. Crowder & J. Robson, 1778.

First edition in English. “The greatly enlarged and only English version of Dissertatio physica, inauguralis, de caloris animalium causa (Edinburgh, 1775), by Patrick Dugud (ca. 1755-1783), who changed his name to Leslie. In this work he further develops his ideas on the origin and maintenance of animal heat, ascribing it to the presence of phlogiston. The second and major part (pp. 91-352) discusses the nature and properties of phlogiston, with good accounts of the theories of animal heat by Black, Cullen, Hales, Lavoisier, Priestley, and others. The importance of this book in the history of chemistry is discussed by Partington and McKie (Annals of Science, 2 [1937], 384-387). Elected F.R.S. (1781), Leslie practiced as a physician in Durham but died prematurely at age twenty-eight.”–Neville, II, p. 58.

Very nice copy with Christie’s facsimile bookplate of Matthew Boulton (sold London, December 1986). Boulton (1728–1809), manufacturer and entrepreneur, was a partner of James Watt in the development of the steam engine.

❧ Cole 821–“The author has expanded his doctoral dissertation considerably and developed further his ideas concerning animal heat. Critical examinations are made of past and contemporary theories. Leslie gives an extended discussion of phlogiston.”.

Price: $1,250.00

Item ID: 10694