This attractive scroll begins with three large figures of the human body — front, rear, and side views — with locations of acupuncture points (red dots) and moxibustion locations (black dots). Each of the acupuncture pressure points are labeled in manuscript with their names. The moxibustion points are also labelled but with notes giving their locations. The three images are delicately painted with flesh colors and black hair. The anterior view depicts the 21 bones of the spine. Many of these are numbered with references to specific organs. Again, pressure points are displayed.

These illustrations are derived from the Ling-shu [the “Vital Axis”], a rare collection of dissertations on moxibustion and acupuncture, written in about the second century BCE, which “formed [along with the Su Wen] the theoretical basis of classical Chinese medicine…the Ling-shu…discusses mainly therapy — mostly centered on medicinal prescriptions, but also including physical therapies such as bonesetting and breathing exercises, and stimulation treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion and massage.”–Sugimoto & Swain, Science & Culture in Traditional Japan, p. 85. More

xxvi, 310 pp. 8vo, cont. patterned green cloth, spine nicely gilt in the Romantic style, a.e.g. Berlin: G. Reimer, 1842.

First edition and a lovely copy of this notable work on plastic surgery, one of the most comprehensive works on the subject up to that time. Ammon (1799-1861), was also well known in the field of ophthalmology for his great atlas of eye pathology, the best summary of knowledge of eye diseases before the invention of the ophthalmoscope. In plastic surgery, Ammon exerted a tremendous influence through his critical reports and his publication of new methods, especially for the areas... More

Woodcut printer’s device on title. 4 p.l. (last leaf a blank), 79 pp. Small 8vo, somewhat later vellum over boards. Bologna: J. Rubrius, 1564.

First edition of an extremely rare book in which Aranzi (1530-89), professor of anatomy at Bologna, describes his discovery of “the ductus venosus of the fetus that runs to the umbilical cord.”–Castiglioni, A History of Medicine, p. 428. He was the first to state the maternal and foetal circulations were separate, and found the highly oxygenated blood supply was connected from the placenta through the ductus venosus to the foetal circulation.

“His De Humano Foetu was an important book…he was the first to maintain that the maternal and foetal circulations are separate, but he naturally did not, and could not, speak of circulations, since he lived before Harvey. Nor could he have proved his point satisfactorily with the means then at his command, and, as we shall see, it was to take another century before the proof was given. Apart from this valuable contribution to embryology, Arantius gave some admirable anatomical descriptions of the foetal membranes.”–Garrison, A History of Embryology, p. 105. More

1 p.l., v-xliv, 543 pp.; 1 p.l., [3]-829 pp. Two vols. 8vo, cont. sheep (corners worn, head of spine of Vol. II a bit chipped), spines gilt, red morocco lettering pieces on spines, a.e.g. Paris: Barrois, 1763.

The sale catalogue of one of the most important and largest of all private book collections, especially strong in medicine and natural history; Peignot states (p. 97) “ce catalogue est un des plus considérables qui existent.” Falconet (1671-1762), French court physician, was a book collector for more than seventy years and this catalogue contains 19,798 lots (the library comprised about 60,000 books; many... More

2 p.l., xxiv, 171 pp. 8vo, cont. red morocco (a few minor defects to extremities), triple gilt fillet round sides, arms in gilt on each cover of the dauphin Louis de France (1729-65), son of Louis XV, spine richly gilt, a.e.g. Paris: G. Martin, 1759.

The very uncommon sale catalogue of the library of La Vigne de Frécheville (1695-1758), first doctor to Queen Marie Leszczynska, wife of King Louis XV, and physician to Maria Josepha, second wife of the dauphin Louis de France. This copy bears the arms of the dauphin, Marie Lezsczynska’s son, and the father of three kings... More

4 p.l., CXII leaves (the first a blank) [lacking at end, as is often the case, eight leaves which is a separate work]. Gothic type, 34 lines, rubricated in red throughout with chapter initials, capitals, paragraph-marks, & initial strokes. Small 4to (216 x 155 mm.), cont. blue-dyed goat- or sheep-skin over wooden boards (some rubbing & fading), sides ruled with intersecting blind fillets forming lozenges, later clasp & catch. Nuremberg: C. Zeninger, 13 June 1482.

A lovely and large copy from the Benedictine monastery at Lambach in Upper Austria, with their ownership inscription on the lower paste-down endpaper. Blue-dyed bindings of this period are extremely uncommon; woad was... More

viii, 285 pp. 8vo, cont. blue boards (corners & head of spine a bit worn), spine gilt. Paris: P.D. Pierres, 1781.

First edition. “This government ordered study was undertaken to determine whether tin from various sources contains arsenic in large enough amounts to make the use of vessels of tin harmful to health. Bayen and Charlard (Rouelle had been named to work with them but he died before the work began) repeated the experiments of Marggraf and added new ones. Their conclusion was that tin contained no arsenic or only minute harmless traces. In the course of the many experiments the nature... More

4 p.l., 274 pp. 8vo, cont. marbled boards (rebacked), orig. red morocco label laid-down. Bristol: Biggs & Cottle, 1799.

First edition. After the foundation of the “Pneumatic Institute” Beddoes sought to inform the public about diseases, especially pulmonary consumption, and how to prevent them. Beddoes understood that there was little hope for a cure if diseases were left unattended. In this book, he has compiled data on the incidence of consumption among various occupations and in several countries. This work reflects Beddoes’ lifelong ambition to improve general welfare through education. Fine copy. Stamp of Aberdeen Medical Surgical Society.

❧ Sim, The Heritage of Anesthesia, p. 218. More

72 pp. 8vo, modern half-morocco & marbled boards (a little spotted), a.e.g. Bristol: Printed by Bulgin & Rosser; sold by J. Murray et al., [1793].

First edition of the first contribution to the study of therapeutic inhalation. Beddoes (1760-1808), published this correspondence to and from his friend Erasmus Darwin in which is discussed a variety of new inhalation treatments for tuberculosis and other maladies thought to be fatal.

During his short lifetime, Beddoes managed to distinguish himself as one of the most remarkable medical men of his time. He promoted pneumatic medicine and worked extensively with James Watt on the use of... More

Several text illus. vii, 536 pp. 8vo, cont. green morocco-backed marbled boards (joints rubbed), spine gilt. Paris: J.B. Baillière & fils, 1875.

First edition of “a landmark in the history of the development of anesthesia, for Bernard did some basic work on the physiological effects of anesthetic drugs, pointed out the dangers of such drugs, and advocated the use of pre-anesthetic depressants such as morphine.”–Heirs of Hippocrates 1798.

“As early as 1864 Bernard discovered that chloroform anesthesia could be prolonged and intensified by the injection of morphine.”–Garrison-Morton 5673. More

[in:] The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. Edited by J.V.C. Smith. Vol. XXXV, No. 16, 309-317 & 379-82 pp. One text illus. 544 pp. 8vo, modern half-calf & marbled boards. Boston: 18 November, 1846.

First edition, the formal announcement of the discovery of surgical anesthesia. Morton was unwilling to disclose any details of ether, his new anesthetic agent, until he could obtain a patent. However, Bigelow convinced him to change his mind early in Nov. 1846 when an amputation was performed. Bigelow then wrote an account of several operations, with remarks on the history, chemistry and physiology of ether, which was published in The... More

702 pp. Large 4to, cont. green half-cloth. London: Printed for the Editor, and Published by G. Churchill, [1847].

First English edition, and the first publication on the other side of the Atlantic, of the first account of ether anaesthesia. See Garrison-Morton 5651 for the appearance of this paper in the Boston Medical & Surgical Journal some six weeks previous. The present work was thus the first account published in Europe of an operation performed with the aid of ether anaesthesia.

“The original title [as in the Boston Medical & Surgical Journal] was not given. Jacob Bigelow, the father of H.J. Bigelow, wrote on 28... More