André Levret - L’art des accouchements - 1766

LEVRET, ANDRÉ.
The Art of Accouchements, demonstrated by principles of physics and mechanics... By Mr. André Levret, Accoucheur to Her Royal Highness the Dauphine, &c. Third Edition, revised & corrected by the Author, with an Abstract of his View on the Aphorisms of Mauriceau. Paris: Chez P. Fr. Didot le Jeune, 1766.

In-8°. Full marbled calf of the period, back with nerves ornamented by gold tooling, spine label in red morocco.
Excellent edition (the 3rd, revised, corrected and greatly augmented) of the most famous text by André Levret, considered the father of modern obstetrics and the greatest surgeon-accoucheur of the eighteenth century. Levret revolutionized his discipline by applying real principles of biomechanics and physics, turning a practice that was empirical and often perilous into an exact medical science.

The work deals with the configuration of the pelvis, the development of the embryo, the mechanics of labor, delivery and neonatal pathologies (spina bifida, hydrocephalus, jaundice…). It contains at the end of the volume his fundamental critical commentary (Abstract of his Sentiment) on the aphorisms of François Mauriceau, as well as the description of his own instruments (notably his famous curved forceps and head-tugging devices).

The copy opens with the remarkable portrait of André Levret engraved by Louis Le Grand, depicting him under his prestigious title of “Accoucheur de Madame la Dauphine” (Marie-Josèphe of Saxony, mother of Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X).

Binding of the period in solid full calf and well preserved; the gold on the spine remains very fresh and luminous, original red title-label clearly legible, slight wear to the headpieces and corners. Interior complete on period paper, portrait in fine impression, folding plates well preserved. Very fine copy of this monument of Enlightenment medicine.

Complete with its folding plates hors-texte.

Before André Levret, the use of forceps was often catastrophic and mortality in childbirth terrifying. Levret, a pure scientific mind, had the genius idea to perfect the straight forceps (invented by the Chamberlains) by adding a pelvic curvature specifically calculated according to the geometry of the female pelvis.

Thanks to the mechanical precision of his instruments and of his theories set forth in this book, Levret became the court obstetrician of the Versailles court. It was he who personally assisted the Dauphine Marie-Josèphe of Saxony during her complex deliveries, bringing into the world the last three kings of France: Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X!

His reputation was such that sovereigns of all Europe (notably the Queen of Spain and the Empress of Russia) sent their physicians to him to learn his “mechanics of accouchements.”