The History of Physick; or, An Account of the Rise and Progress of the Art

The first English edition of Le Clerc"s foundational history of medicine, illustrated with three folding engraved portraits of the ancient physicians. In a contemporary full calf binding Text and register continuous despite pagination. First published in French in 1696, this is the first English edition, translated from the French by Dr James Drake and Dr Baden. Illustrated with three folding portrait plates. The plate depicting Heraclitus is defective, with loss to the lower portion. The plate depicting Democritus is fully detached but present. An important early history of medicine, tracing the development of healing from its mythical and religious origins through ancient Egyptian and Greek medicine to Hippocrates and his successors, presenting medicine as a chronological history of discoveries. Le Clerc discusses a variety of topics including the supposed invention of medicine by figures including Hermes or Mercury, Osiris, Apollo and Asclepius; the place of magic and astrology in early healing; the origins of bloodletting and purgation. He considers the philosopher-physicians Pythagoras, Empedocles, Heraclitus and Democritus. Daniel Le Clerc (1652-1728) was a Genevan physician and pioneering historian of medicine. After its publication, his Histoire de la médecine quickly became a foundational work of medical historiography. ESTC No.: R9369. In a full contemporary calf binding. Externally, generally smart Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities, resulting in minor loss to calf, more so to lower portion of rear board. Slight rubbing to boards with one or two light marks. Minor discolouration to extremities with faint damp staining to upper perimeter of front board. Light creasing to spine. Discolouration from binder's glue to endpapers. Small contemporary ink inscription to front paste down. Extremities of joints cracked; hinges strained but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages age toned with light scattered spotting, handling marks and tide marking to first few leaves. Slight creasing to margins of plates and the odd leaf. Plate depicting Hippocrates slightly trimmed with small closed tear to point of extension. Plate depicting Heraclitus defective, lacking to lower portion. Plate of democritus fully detached, with small closed tear to point of extension. Slight cockling to leaves. Good Only.…