Milestones of Science Books

WILLIS, Thomas.

Pathologiae Cerebri, Et Nervosi Generis Specimen: In quo agitur de Morbis Convulsivis, Et De Scorbuto.

Amsterdam: Daniel Elzevir, 1668.

2nd Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #003310

12mo (134 x 78 mm). [12], 338, [22] pp. Engraved portrait of the author on leaf *6v, woodcut printer's device on general title, sections with individual running titles, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, final blank Q6. Signatures: *6 A-O12 P-Q6. Bound in 18th-century vellum, yapp edges, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, all edges gilt (little soiling and spotting of vellum). Text generally crisp and clean with very minor occasional spotting. Provenance: G. J. O. Hotz (ink stamps to general title). A very good copy. ----

McHenry, p. 58; NLM/Krivatsy 13032; Wellcome V, p.444; Heirs of Hippocrates 539 (2nd Amsterdam ed.); Willems 1401. RARE SECOND AND FIRST CONTINENTAL EDITION, published just one year after the first edition (Oxford). Willis followed up his anatomical account of the brain with this important work on its pathology and neurophysiology, first published in 1667. In it he develops a new theory of the cause of epilepsy and other convulsive diseases. McHenry refers to this work as one of the earliest textbooks on nervous diseases "renowned for its striking clinical pictures, especially of general paresis." This work also contains Willis' monograph on convulsive disorders and scurvy. Willis' superb training in clinical medicine and close observation was never more evident than in this work where one sees this brilliant 17th-century mind attacking areas of clinical sciences never before studied. "The most complete and accurate account of the nervous system which had hitherto appeared. Willis's classification of the cerebral nerves held the field until the time of Soemmerring." - Visit our website to see more images!

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