The Medical and Physical Journal Vol IX; From January to June, 1803. Vol XV; From January to June, 1806.

Two very scarce copies of volume IX and XV of the fascinating 'Medical and Physical Journal'; reportedly used at a British Military Hospital in the village of So Pedro de Rio Seco during the Peninsular War of 1807 to 1814. 'The Medical and Physical Journal' was first published in 1799, and contained accounts of current events in medicine, brief book reviews and numerous essays on surgery, pharmacy, chemistry, and natural history. This two volume set contains Vol IX (January to June, 1803) and Vol XV (January to June, 1806); exploring such fascinating topics as yellow fever, leprosy, influenza (Vol IX), and inoculation, hydrophobia, and medical reform (vol XV) to name a few. Volume IX collated, complete with four pages of plates, one of which is coloured and folding. The plate of 'Dr. Clarke's newly-invented Surgical Instruments' has been rebound facing page 9. Volume XV is also collated complete with four pages of plates, one of which is coloured. This work has been rebound by Colin Yorke (of Weston-Super-Mare) in 2016, in an attractive half polished calf binding with marbled paper boards. Volume XV features a tipped-in slip to the front free-endpaper by Yorke, recalling his purchase of this work 'in a market stall in Almeida, Portugal in 1999', and the original discovery of the volumes at a house clearance in the nearby village of So Pedro de Rio Seco, on the Portuguese-Spanish Border. This slip goes on to detail Yorke's belief that the works were originally used at a British Military Hospital in the village during the Peninsular War, and his theory that the work was accidentally left behind by a British medical officer when the hospital was abandoned in November 1812. This incredibly interesting theory is also reproduced on a loosely inserted booklet by York, with accompanying photo-copied material that support his findings. Rebound in a half polished calf binding with marbled paper boards. Externally lovely with only very minor handling marks to spines. Tipped-in slip to front free-endpaper, volume XV. Internally firmly bound. Pages age toned with the odd spot and handling mark to the occasional page. Small closed tear to fore edge of folding plate facing page 489, volume IX. Tape repair to lower fore edge of page 3/4 of index, and pages 197/8, 199/200 to front of volume XV. Loss to fore edge of plate facing page 201, volume XV. Professional repair to slight loss of plate facing page 455, volume XV. Very Good.…