The cytological and histological foundations of modern neurology

RAMON Y CAJAL, Santiago.

Textura del sistema nervioso del hombre y de los vertebrados.

Madrid: Nicolás Moya, 1899.

1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. Item #003476

1899-1904. Three parts in two volumes. 8vo (242 x 156 mm). xi [1], 566; [8], [1]-608, 609-1209 [1], [2] pp., including half title and title to each part, half title and title of part II of second volume bound at front, advert leaf bound at end of second volume, numerous colored and b/w line-block or half-tone illustrations by Cajal in text. Bound in contemporary uniform half-calf over percaline boards, spines with 5 raised bands, gilt ruling and gilt lettering, marbled endpapers (extremities rubbed, leather scratched, light water staining at foot of spines). Text somewhat browned at outer margins, single brown spots to pp. 1172 and 1173, edges of book blocks show light water stains, but not extending onto pages. In all a clean and crisp set in untouched bindings. ----

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST EDITION of "This monumental work [which] sets out the cytological and histological foundations of modern neurology." (Garrison-M.). Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934), professor of histology at Barcelona and then Madrid, won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1906 together with Camillo Golgi for their work on the structure of the nervous system, describing neurons and synapses (though not using those names) as well as the structure of each nerve cell. This became the basis for all modern neurobiology.
"The work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal provided the foundation for present concepts of the cellular composition of the nervous system. Improving and refining existing histological techniques and developing new ones of his own, he demonstrated the microscopic anatomy of the brain as it had never before been seen, and correlated the cellular structures of the brain, nerves, and spinal cord with their functions, giving neurophysiology for the first time a firm anatomic base. Utilizing his remarkable skill as an artist and draftsman, Cajal was able, through the illustrations in his books, to convey to the scientific world what was revealed of the nervous system through his microscope. [...] Cajal's most notable contribution is generally considered to be his Textura del sistema nervioso del hombre y de los vertebrados. Only eight hundred copies were printed of this work, which was originally published in fascicles [...] between 1897 and 1904. In it Cajal summarized his earlier research, consolidated his arguments, and presented his mature thinking on the organization of the nervous system. He proved many of the connections between one section of the brain and another, and he illustrated these, as well as the many connections one cell makes with others. He described many nerve cells for the first time and also pointed out the plasticity of nerve cells in the brain, a discovery that has only recently come to be appreciated in the course of modern work on nerve physiology. Textura del sistema nervioso is a model of beauty and clarity, and it earned Cajal world-wide recognition. A revised and enlarged French translation was published in 1909 and republished in 1952 on the anniversary of the author's birth." (Grolier/Medicine, pp. 311-13).
LITERATURE: Norman, One hundred Books famous in Medicine (Grolier/Medicine) 86; Garrison-Morton 1293.1; Palau 247478; DSB XI, p.273-5. - Visit our website to see more images!

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