In which, all the Terms Relating either to Anatomy, Chirurgery, Pharmacy, or Chymistry, are very accurately explain'd. By Stephen Blancard, M.D. and Physick-Professor at Middleburgh in Zeeland.
London, Printed by J.D. and are to be sold by Samuel Crouch in Popes-head-Alley, and John Gellibrand at the Golden-Ball in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1684
First medical dictionary in British Isles. The first medical dictionary to be printed in the British Isles. One of three variants of the first edition in English of Dutch physician Steven Blankaart's (1650-1704) Lexicon medicum graeco latinum, a comprehensive directory of medical terminology and theory compiled from the works of leading physicians from the ancient and early modern worlds, including Galen, Erotianus, and Bartholomew Castellus amongst others. A full list of 'Authors which have been consulted and made use of' is supplied at p.158.
Many of the over 3,000 entries will be familiar to medical practitioners today, however some definitions may seem peculiar. Thus on 'Sanguis, Blood... The Microscope discovers that the parts of the Blood are round or globular naturally, but that in fevers 'tis full of Worms' (p.255).
The Dictionary also contains practical advice on performing surgical procedures. An entry on obstetrics gives the following guidance: Hysterotomotocia, or Sectio Caesarea, is a cutting the Child out of the Womb, which is done thus; You make a Semilunar Section under the Navel, along the White line, the cavity whereof looks towards the said Line; then according to the leading of the Fibres, the Foetus being extracted after the Section, the wound in the Womb contracts of it self, so that the Blood scarce flows more plentifully than in a Natural Birth; but if the Mother be dead, chuse the most convenient place you can' (p.158).
The work is dedicated to the surgeon and anatomist William Molins (1617-1691). As a member of the Company of Barber-Surgeons he participated in the dissection of a human body in January 1648, one of four such dissections of executed criminals permitted annually by royal license. His book on muscles, Myskotomia, was published in 1648, a popular work it was reissued in 1676 and again in 1680, and was plagiarised by the surgeon John Browne in 1681.
First edition in English; 8vo (18 x 12 cm); ownership inscription in pen to title header, woodcut initial, page number 207-208 repeated; contemporary sheep, later gilt red calf title-piece to spine and endpapers, extremities rubbed; [8], 302pp.
ESTC R24203; Wing B3164C; Garrison & Morton 6797.
Many of the over 3,000 entries will be familiar to medical practitioners today, however some definitions may seem peculiar. Thus on 'Sanguis, Blood... The Microscope discovers that the parts of the Blood are round or globular naturally, but that in fevers 'tis full of Worms' (p.255).
The Dictionary also contains practical advice on performing surgical procedures. An entry on obstetrics gives the following guidance: Hysterotomotocia, or Sectio Caesarea, is a cutting the Child out of the Womb, which is done thus; You make a Semilunar Section under the Navel, along the White line, the cavity whereof looks towards the said Line; then according to the leading of the Fibres, the Foetus being extracted after the Section, the wound in the Womb contracts of it self, so that the Blood scarce flows more plentifully than in a Natural Birth; but if the Mother be dead, chuse the most convenient place you can' (p.158).
The work is dedicated to the surgeon and anatomist William Molins (1617-1691). As a member of the Company of Barber-Surgeons he participated in the dissection of a human body in January 1648, one of four such dissections of executed criminals permitted annually by royal license. His book on muscles, Myskotomia, was published in 1648, a popular work it was reissued in 1676 and again in 1680, and was plagiarised by the surgeon John Browne in 1681.
First edition in English; 8vo (18 x 12 cm); ownership inscription in pen to title header, woodcut initial, page number 207-208 repeated; contemporary sheep, later gilt red calf title-piece to spine and endpapers, extremities rubbed; [8], 302pp.
ESTC R24203; Wing B3164C; Garrison & Morton 6797.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
