Joannes Riolani - Encheiridium Anatomicum et Pathologicum - 1649

Binding in full limp parchment with various signs of wear to the spine and boards. Gilded ornaments and a gilt title in a brick-red box on the spine.

1 blank page, [10] including preliminaries and front matter, 471, [36] + 24 plates, 1 blank page

The Encheiridium is a compact manual designed specifically for students and use in the anatomical theaters. It unites descriptive anatomy ("normal") with pathological anatomy, analyzing the alterations of the organs compared to their natural state. The book has remained famous in the history of medicine because Riolan exposed criticisms and skepticism regarding William Harvey's theory of blood circulation. This scholarly clash led Harvey to publish several works in response to Riolan's positions. Jean Riolan (Amiens, 20 February 1580 – Paris, 19 February 1657) was a French anatomist and an influential member of the Paris Faculty of Medicine.

Fine frontispiece, full-page engraving (Vesling - Valcob - G. Patin - A. Kyper). Drop caps, running heads and tailpieces. At the end, 24 folded anatomical plates engraved full-page with their respective explanations. Pagination jumps from p. 410 to p. 417, which does not imply any missing pages. Hole with tape on the first blank page; wear to the margins of the first ten leaves including preliminaries and frontispiece. A browned and time-worn specimen but generally in decent condition. Complete and readable.