A Series of Engravings, Explaining the Course of the Nerves.

First edition of this early work by the prominent surgeon and anatomical illustrator Charles Bell (1774-1842).

Bell undertook his surgical training in Edinburgh during the 1890s and at the same time studied art with the painter David Allen. He published his System of Dissections, a guide for anatomy students, while himself still a student in 1798.

Bell worked briefly as a surgeon in Edinburgh before moving to London, collaborating with his brother John on Anatomy of the Human Body (1801) and publishing his own Anatomy of the Brain in 1802. Published the following year, the present work was 'a continuation of the work of Sir Charles' elder brother John's Engravings of the bones, muscles and joints. As with all of Bell's work, the nine plates in this volume are engraved after the author's own drawings and are notable for their detail and accuracy' (Eimas, Heirs of Hippocrates 1298).

First edition; 4to (28 x 23.5 cm); 9 engraved plates of which 3 are folding, ink ownership inscription to the title page, bookplate loosely inserted, title and a few other leaves repaired with tissue in the gutter, a few other small tissue repairs to the margins of leaves, contents toned, scattered spotting; late 20th century quarter brown morocco, marbled sides, red morocco label, new endpapers, very good condition; 49 pp.

Hook & Norman, The Norman Library of Science and Medicine 169; Heirs of Hippocrates 1298.