Hippocrate

1776 · rif. 91216 — Romae Rome: Apud Benedictum Francesium 1776. Fine. A copy uniting two illustrious surgeons of the 18th and 19th centuries Apud Benedictum Francesium Romae Rome 1776 20.5 x 27.8 cm Relié Illustrated first edition lacking the frontispiece portrait of Hippocrates but complete with its five plates fine decorative initials and large tailpieces. Contemporary full tree calf smooth spine richly gilt with among other decorations a palmette roll tan morocco lettering piece gilt roll on board edges. Ink ownership inscription on the front pastedown: ""J. E. Petrequin lyon nov. 1856"" in the hand of Joseph Pierre Eléonor Pétrequin chief surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon who received the distinction of Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1855. Scattered foxing marginal tear to p. xi. A fine copy. Upon its publication in 1776 this text commenting on the Hippocratic treatise on fractures won the admiration of scholars at the Royal Academy of Surgery in Paris on the other side of the Alps. Joseph Pierre Eléonor Pétrequin would thus own in the following century a copy of this work recognized in France — the one offered here. His main book published posthumously in 1878 would also deal with the medicine of Hippocrates. Pietro Pericoli would write in 1879 that Andrea Massimini was the last at that date to have worked on the doctrines of the ""Father of Medicine"" — this Italian politician had certainly not yet heard of Pétrequin's 1200 pages on the subject. A fine illustrated work associating two renowned surgeons in line with the Hippocratic legacy. Provenance: ownership inscription of Joseph Pierre Eléonor Pétrequin. Apud Benedictum Francesium unknown