An Essay to Prove the Contagious Character of Malignant Cholera; with Brief Instructions for its Prevention and Cure

Byrne, Bernard M.

Published by Childs & Peterson, Philadelphia, 1855

About this Item

Octavo. 2nd edition with additional notes by the author. When Byrne issued this book first in 1833, he argued that it was always contagious. The Boston Medical Magazine said its theory was interesting but specious. In the early 19th century, the causes of cholera (like that of other diseases) was rooted still not in science but a variety of traditional theories. As a major physician in the U.S. Army, he continued to note that cholera and yellow fever were so obviously contagious that he advocated quarantine. He notes that when his first essay appeared in 1833 only two of 140 physicians in Baltimore took his views seriously. His view began to be taken seriously by the time of this edition though it would be nearly half a century before Walter Reed and others convinced the medical community of its reality. Though he intended for this copy to go to President Pierce, it never was officially received and ended up in the library of C.A. Morgan (his bookplate is on the front endpaper). Later by Dr. J.T Jenkins of Phoenix. Bound in publisher s dark blue embossed cloth, spine lettering gilt, some notes in pencil to front free endpaper, spine faded. A very nice copy, internally fresh.

Seller Inventory # 025988

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Essay to Prove the Contagious Character of Malignant Cholera; with Brief Instructions for its Prevention and Cure
• Publisher: Childs & Peterson, Philadelphia
• Publication Date: 1855
• Seller catalogs:
  • Medical