Johann Peter Frank (G. P. Frank) - Sistema completo di polizia medica - 1807-1808

Johann Peter Frank – Complete System of Medical Police – 1807/1808 – 3 volumes – Elegant gold-decorated bindings

Author: Johann Peter Frank (G. P. Frank)

Title: Complete System of Medical Police

Publisher: Pirotta e Maspero, Printers-Booksellers

Place of publication: Milan

Year: 1807–1808

Language: Italian, translation from German

Volumes: 3 (vols. I, VII and VIII; incomplete work)

Binding: Hardcover with marbled covers, backs richly decorated in gold and red labels with titles and numbering.

Description

Interesting collection of three volumes from the famous work by Johann Peter Frank (1745–1821), German physician and a fundamental figure in the history of social medicine, hygiene, and public health.
Published in Milan by Pirotta e Maspero between 1807 and 1808, the volumes belong to the Italian translation of the monumental Complete System of Medical Police, one of the most significant works in the history of health prevention.

Why was it called “medical police”?

The title, today curious and seemingly unusual, hides a concept that is extremely modern. In 18th-century language, the word “police” did not refer only to the police forces, but to the set of norms and activities by which the State administered and protected society. Medical police therefore was what we would today call public health, community hygiene, and preventive medicine. Frank advocated a principle that was innovative at the time: the health of citizens should not depend solely on the care of individual doctors, but should become a responsibility of the State.

For this reason his work does not limit itself to diseases and remedies, but addresses questions surprisingly relevant today: epidemic prevention, city cleanliness, air and water quality, building safety, nutrition, family health, and protection of the population from daily hazards. His thinking anticipates some of the principles on which modern health protection policies are based, while reflecting the 18th-century view of a State strongly committed to regulating social life.

Contents of the volumes

Vol. I – 1807

Deals with issues related to population, marriage, celibacy, reproductive health, and the relationship between social organization and collective well-being. Particularly interesting are the observations on the customs of different peoples and the living conditions of the time.

Vol. VII – 1807

Dedicated to numerous aspects of public hygiene and daily life, with reflections on the healthiness of dwellings, urban cleanliness, clothing, and the prevention of health risks.

Vol. VIII – 1808

Addresses topics related to public safety, accident prevention, and dangers posed by animals. Of particular interest are the treatments on hydrophobia (rabies), which document the medical knowledge and theories of the early 19th century.

Bindings and condition

The three volumes present elegant period bindings, with dark leather spines richly adorned with geometric gold-impressed decorations, red labels with the abbreviated title “FRANK POLIZIA MEDICA” and volume numbering.

Boards covered in marbled paper.

The bindings retain a notable decorative effect, though they show signs of use, rubbing, and small imperfections due to age. The interiors show foxing and widespread browning, sometimes pronounced, especially on the title pages and some leaves. The text is generally legible. Overall, copies of good antique interest, with the natural conservation traces of books over two centuries old.

Important: the lot includes exclusively volumes I, VII and VIII and does not constitute the complete work.

Photography is part of the description.

Collecting interest

A work of notable interest for the history of medicine, hygiene, epidemic prevention, and health institutions. A testimony from more than two centuries ago of how an idea now fundamental was taking shape: protecting the health of a population also means intervening in the living conditions of people. Three volumes that are particularly fascinating both for their historical-scientific content and for the beautiful gold-decorated bindings.