Fredericum Ruyschium - Epistola Anatomica - 1696-1738

Binding in half red leather and marbled paper. Finials, title, author, monogram, date and place in gold on the spine. Deckle-edged cuts.

1 blank sheet, 32, 12, 12, 12, 8, 12, 12, 8, 12, 31, 32, 19, 14, 10, 1 blank sheet

Extremely rare and of notable interest, comprising no. 16 “Epistles” addressed to Ruschius by various authors, with his own replies to each of them. Usually found separately, here gathered they constitute an important historical-scientific document on the work of this eminent anatomist. The Epistles treat topics such as the structure of hair, fat, glands and lymphatic fibers, up to the blood vessels and ocular tunics; they include discussions on bronchial arteries and veins; finally they address complex subjects such as the structure of the intestinal tunics, the cortical substance of the brain and the hidden pathways of the lungs or the secretory mechanism.

Small typographic vignettes at each frontispiece. 19 plates (out of text), some folded more than once. Numerous decorated initial capitals. Foxing and many pages browned. Nevertheless a good rare specimen in this format, complete and usable.