Wm. Beaumont's Formative Years: Two Early Notebooks 1811–1821

First edition publication of two early notebooks kept by pioneering American physician William Beaumont between 1811 and 1821, presented with annotations and an introductory essay by medical historian Genevieve Miller of the Institute of the History of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. The notebooks document Beaumont's intellectual development, medical education, early practice, and personal reflections during the decade preceding the event that made him one of the most important figures in American medical history. In 1822 Beaumont treated Alexis St. Martin after a gunshot wound left a permanent gastric fistula. The unusual injury allowed Beaumont to conduct direct experiments on human digestion and gastric secretions, resulting in foundational research that earned him a central place in the history of physiology and gastroenterology. This volume reproduces Beaumont's two early manuscript notebooks and provides historical context for his formative years before the famous St. Martin experiments. xv, 87 pages. Illustrated with photographs, facsimiles, portraits, and related historical material. Bound in publisher's light natural cloth with decorative gilt and black title panel to the front board and lettering to spine. Condition: Very Good. Original cloth binding remains firm and attractive with scattered light spotting, age-related discoloration, and mild surface soiling, particularly to the boards. Decorative front label remains clear and bright. Spine lettering remains distinct. Corners and spine ends show light wear. Pages show mild age toning but appear clean and well preserved. Binding is sound. No dust jacket present. Please see photographs for complete condition details. Significance / Collector Appeal: An appealing primary-source volume relating to William Beaumont, whose experiments on Alexis St. Martin became landmarks in the study of human digestion and physiology. The notebooks provide an unusual look at Beaumont before his celebrated gastric experiments and are of interest to collectors of American medicine, physiology, gastroenterology, military medicine, and the history of medical education. Shipping / Returns: Carefully packed for shipment. Returns accepted in accordance with AbeBooks policies. SCI 3b. …