Epidemics Examined and Explained: or, Living Germs Proved by Analogy to be a Source of Disease (SIGNED ASSOCIATION COPY & SIGNED HANDWRITTEN LETTER)

John Grove

Published by James Ridgway, London, 1850

About this Item

A LANDMARK WORK HYPOTHESIZING THAT INFECTIONS ARE CAUSED BY MICROSCOPIC LIVING GERMS THAT REPRODUCE & EVOLVE - SIGNED ASSOCIATION COPY + SIGNED HANDWRITTEN LETTER

***This is the foundational work on germ theory of disease, laying the groundwork for modern medicine over a decade before Louis Pasteur's groundbreaking experiments in the 1860s***

***The title is scarce in commerce, and this copy is exceptional: it is a signed association copy presented by the author to a young epidemiologist, Herbert Herring, just starting out in his career. The book is accompanied by a signed, handwritten letter attached to the front pastedown, dated 1882. The author also handwrites the critical reviews of his work (quite positive!) by the press from 1850-1851 on both pages of the front blank flyleaf.

The letter is quite fascinating as the author (a devoutly religious man) cautions Herbert about readily accepting the views of the Evolutionists and to take heed sermons addressing Darwin which state three main gaps need to be bridged before accepting The Theory of Evolution in its totality:

1. The great gap in the abilities between mankind and the most intelligent of animals
2. The greater gap between inorganic and organized, living matter and
3. The greatest gap between nothing and created matter.

BACKGROUND:

The year of publication of this work--1850--was the year that the highly important Epidemiological Society of London was founded. It was formed in direct response to the devastation caused by a deadly outbreak of Cholera the prior year that swept across the British Isles and continental Europe. The medical expertise of the time proved insufficient to prevent or stop it despite heeding the "expert" medical advice. Thus, the Epidemiological Society's mission was to identify the underlying cause of diseases and the best ways to prevent, minimize and treat them.

At the time of this work's publication (many years before Louis Pasteur's groundbreaking findings and experiments on pasteurization, the debunking of the theory of spontaneous generation, bacteriology, etc.) the serious notion that disease was caused by a microscopic biological agent that reproduced to spread was a provocative challenge to the prevailing wisdom that infections were caused by insects and/or miasma - a noxious, poisonous or polluted atmosphere. In this work, the author refutes these two prevailing theories while providing evidence and logical rationale for why disease is likely caused by a living germ.

Published in 1850 in London by James Ridgeway. Bound in contemporary 1/2 calf over marbled paper. All edges speckled red. Burnt peach-colored endpapers. Octavo, 8 5/8" x 5.75". Collated and complete: viii, [2], 192 pp.

CONDITION REPORT: VERY GOOD

Exterior and binding: Square spine, firm binding. Rubbed and worn with extremities. Rubbed boards. Some skinning to leather. Top edge darkened per usual. Some discoloration to leather. A bit of chipping to spine label.

Interior: Text block itself is generally clean and bright with white pages. Front pastedown with letter adhered and a bookplate removal stain on FFEP. All front blanks with notations from the author. Association copy signed with gift inscription on title page to Herbert Herring esquire. Foxing to prelims and extremities. A few smudges.

Seller Inventory # 251116003

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Epidemics Examined and Explained: or, Living Germs Proved by Analogy to be a Source of Disease (SIGNED ASSOCIATION COPY & SIGNED HANDWRITTEN LETTER)
• Publisher: James Ridgway, London
• Publication Date: 1850
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 1.5 kilograms
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)