Milestones of Science Books

WISEMAN, Richard.

Several Chirurgical Treatises.

London: Printed by E. Flescher and J. Macock for R. Royston, 1676.

1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #003408

Folio (297 x 180 mm). [16], 498, 79 [1], [14] pp. Half title, chapter "Of Lues Venera" with separate pagination, general index at end. Later black morocco, panneled and blind-stamped boards, binding restored and rebacked with original gilt-lettered spine label preserved, red-dyed edges, later endpapers (wear and chipping of extremities, corners bumped). Text little evenly browned, occasional minor spotting and ink soiling, final leaf of text with long closed tear and old paper rebacking on verso, some dog-earing and creasing, a few pen trials, annotations and scribbling in places. Provenance: medical library of James Tait Goodrich. In all a very good, quite crisp and clean copy. ----

Norman 2253; Heirs of Hippocrates 547; Garrison-Morton 5573; NLM/Krivatsy 13083; Leonardo, Master surgeons, pp. 457-61; Wing W-3107. VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of Wiseman's important collection of over 600 case histories, divided into treatises on tumors, ulcers, diseases of the anus, scrofula, gunshot wounds, fractures and luxations, and venereal disease. "Wiseman was the first to advocate primary amputation of a badly injured or diseased limb rather than wait until the onset of infection; he also practiced flap amputation rather than the circular or gouillotine amputation method more commonly used in his day. He was the first to describe tuberculosis of the joints (tumor albus), and his treatise on syphilis and gonorrhea includes a description of the surgical treatment of suppression of urine by means of external urethrotomy." (Norman). "This large work discusses the cause, clinical appearance, and treatment of tumors, ulcers, diseases of the anus, the 'King's Evil', wounds (including gunshot wounds), fractures, and venereal disease. Wiseman realized the difference between gonorrhea and syphilis..." (Heirs of Hippocrates).
"Born in London, Richard Wiseman was apprenticed at the Barber-Surgeons' Hall to Richard Smith, surgeon, by 1637. Having completed his training, he entered the ranks of the Barber Surgeons just before the civil war between the Crown and Parliament broke out in 1642. Wiseman took the side of the crown and was at many of the famous civil war battles. Wiseman was taken prisoner in the Battle of Worcester 1651. In 1652 after being released, he qualified as a member of the Barber-Surgeons' Company and worked at St. Thomas' Hospital. He was again imprisoned, but escaped the Parliamentary forces and accompanied the future Charles II to France. He eventually returned to England in 1657 when the anti-royalist sentiments waned. Charles II returned as King on the death of Cromwell and Wiseman was made Sergeant Surgeon to the King in 1672. His observations and writings were his legacy. An extensive writer, he noted many conditions and outlined his treatment for them. His book Several Surgical Treatises is now seen as a landmark in English surgery . . . His observations on gunshot wounds are extensive and his detailed remarks on the treatment of these wounds are superb. Wiseman was responsible for raising the medical profession to a class equal to the clergy. With this class elevation came harder entry standards for would be apprentices." (Jisc Library Hub Discover online resouce). - Visit our website to see more images!

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