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Monro, Alexander, secundus (1733-1817). Observations on the structure and functions of the nervous system. [6], [v]-x, 176pp. 50 engraved plates, drawn by Thomas Donaldson, Alexander Battoni and A. Fyfe, and engraved by Donaldson, Battoni and G. Cameron. Plates numbered i-viii, viii*, viii**, ix-xxvi, xxvi*, xxvii-xlvii, on 41 sheets (plates xv, xvi and xviii double-page). Edinburgh: William Creech; London: Joseph Johnson, 1783. 505 x 305mm. (uncut). Half morocco, marbled boards in period style, spine faded and with a few small stains. Front margin of title-leaf repaired affecting one word, minor foxing and toning as in all copies, edges a bit frayed but very good. Presentation Inscription from John F. Fulton (1899-1960) to Henry R. Viets (1890-1969) on front flyleaf: "Henry Viets from John Fulton Christmas 1935." First Edition of Monro secundus s most famous work. Monro s study of the interior and exterior anatomy of the brain includes his description of the "foramen of Monro," the intraventricular foramen between the lateral and third ventricles; the structure had been described earlier by Galen, Leonardo da Vinci, Berengario and other authors, but Monro s description was more detailed (although not completely accurate). The work also contains Monro s first statement of what is now known as the Monro-Kellie hypothesis of intracranial pressure: The cranial compartment is incompressible and its volume is fixed, thus the cranium and its constituents (blood, cerebral spinal fluid and brain tissue) create a state of volume equilibrium, such that any increase in volume of one of the cranial constituents must be compensated by a decrease in volume of another. Monro, the youngest son of Alexander Monro primus, succeeded his father in the chair of anatomy at the University of Edinburgh; he is recognized as "the greatest of the three Monros" (Garrison-Morton). This copy is inscribed by John F. Fulton, noted American physiologist and historian of medicine, to neurologist and fellow bibliophile Henry R. Viets (see Garrison-Morton.com 9535, 10333). Clarke & O Malley, The Human Brain and Spinal Cord, pp. 174-177. Garrison-Morton.com 1385. Norman 1538. . Seller Inventory # 51927
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