John Hunter, Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge - Transactions of a Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical - 1793

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction a WORLDWIDE FIRST EDITION rarity that is impossible to find on the current market: "Transactions of a Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge". Printed in London: Printed for J. Johnson, No 72, St. Paul’s Church-Yard (1793)

This exceptional and historic first edition of one of the most exclusive scientific publications of the Enlightenment, enriched with a magnificent complete graphic repertoire of 13 plates (10 of which are large, fold-out plates featuring real clinical cases)

WHY IT IS A UNIQUE AND EXTREMELY RARE WORK:

This coveted scientific publication was issued in extremely limited and private print runs destined exclusively for the members of the prestigious medical society founded in London. Today, it is the only unit for sale on the international market, becoming a bibliographic treasure with the highest value, largely unattainable for most collectors, and an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a pinnacle piece of medical history. Subsequently, two expansions of the work would be published in 1800 and 1812. The only known recent sale of the work was conducted in 1967.

THE AUTHORS: THE CLAN OF TITANS OF BRITISH MEDICINE

The work gathers the research and scientific memoirs of the brightest and most influential doctors, surgeons, and anatomists in eighteenth-century Britain, true legends of modern science whose names headline the volume’s treatises:

+ John Hunter (1728–1793): The father of modern scientific surgery and a pioneer of experimental pathological anatomy.

+ Matthew Baillie (1761–1823): Famous anatomist and royal physician, author of the first systematic atlas of pathology.

+ Edward Jenner (1749–1823): The visionary physician immortalized for discovering the smallpox vaccine.

+ George Fordyce and Everard Home: Eminent clinicians and researchers of the Royal College of Physicians.

This historic volume marked a turning point in clinical medicine by documenting revolutionary discoveries based on empirical observation, anatomical dissection, and real surgical casuistry.

Among its most fascinating and historically impactful topics are:

+ Investigations on Smallpox and Fever: Pioneering writings on febrile pathogenesis and the causes of epidemics.

+ The Jenner Process: Detailed scientific memoir on the preparation of pure tartar emetic through recrystallization.

+ Vascular and Cardiac Pathology: Masterful studies on inflammation in the inner layers of veins (John Hunter) and the astonishing congenital absence of the pericardium in the human body (Matthew Baillie).

+ Aneurysms and Vascular Surgery: Everard Home’s revolutionary surgical method to cure popliteal aneurysm.

THE 13 CALOTYPIC PLATES

The volume preserves an exceptional artistic and technical repertoire of 13 copper-plate engravings:

+ 8 Large Fold-Out Engravings: Spectacular surgical and anatomical engravings showing complex pathological dissections, malformations, urogenital structures, and vascular systems.

+ 2 Fold-Out Plates of Real Clinical Cases

+ 3 Engravings: Detailed illustrations of microscopic and macroscopic structures linked to the clinical trials.

PUBLICATION YEAR: London, England, United Kingdom, 1793. FIRST EDITION
LANGUAGE: English (Original Version)
SIZE AND PAGE COUNT: Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 inches (23 x 15 cm). Pagination: Title + [2] + 343 + [8] pp. FIRST EDITION WITH ITS 13 FULL PLATES
CONDITION: Quarter morocco binding with tips, in good condition with some wear, as shown in photos. Spine with five raised bands and the original label. Interior generally well preserved, as shown in photos.
FIRST EXTREMELY RARE FIRST EDITION OF THIS WORK WITH ALL ITS PLATES, UNIQUE ON THE CURRENT MARKET. DO NOT MISS IT.
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