WOODALL, John (?1556-1643)
10.12.2025 12:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S| Auctioneer | CHRISTIE'S |
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| Veranstaltungsort | Vereinigtes Königreich, London |
| Aufgeld | see on Website% |
ID 1514505
Los 174 | WOODALL, John (?1556-1643)
Schätzwert
5000GBP £ 5 000 – 7 000
The surgions mate, or A treatise discouering faithfully and plainely the due contents of the surgions chest … Published chiefly for the benefit of young sea-surgions, imployed in the East-India Companies affaires. London: Edward Griffin for Laurence Lisle, 1617.
Extremely rare first edition of the first textbook for naval surgeons, with evidence of practical use: one of only two complete copies recorded at auction (RBH/ABSA). Woodall was surgeon-general to the East India Company and an early advocate of citrus fruit for the prevention of scurvy. The surgions mate comprises a manual for the use of surgical instruments and medicines at sea, offering practical advice on the treatment of gunshot wounds and other occupational hazards, from ulcers to dislocations, alongside ‘ye most easie & safest wayes of amputation or dismembring’. Cures for scurvy and other common ailments are included, as well as how to treat the plague. The folding table shows the correct layout and contents of the surgeon’s chest. The 1639 edition ‘was made required reading for all naval surgeons in the East India Company’ (Garrison-Morton). Garrison-Morton 2144; STC (2nd edition) 25962; Wellcome I, 6774. Not in Durling-NLM, Norman or Waller.
Quarto (185 x 143mm). Blank leaf Tt4 present. Folding table, large woodcut of Mercury on Nn2, chemical symbols on several leaves at end, woodcut initials and ornaments (modern paper and archival tissue repairs to fore-edge of title and to edges and corners of further leaves at the beginning and end, wormtracks in upper gutter repaired on occasion, staining and fraying to margins consistent with practical use). Original vellum, spine title in ink, later labels and gilt titling (stained and cockled, lacking ties). Provenance: The preparation for Philonium persicum – an opiate for pain relief – on p.87 excised, perhaps by an early owner for more immediate reference during surgery; Royal Society of Medicine (ink stamp [Medical and Chirurgical Society] on title and other leaves).
| Herkunftsort: | England, Nordeuropa, Europa, Vereinigtes Königreich |
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| Kategorie des Auktionshauses: | Medizin und Wissenschaft, Bücher und Handschriften, Gedruckte Bücher |
| Herkunftsort: | England, Nordeuropa, Europa, Vereinigtes Königreich |
|---|---|
| Kategorie des Auktionshauses: | Medizin und Wissenschaft, Bücher und Handschriften, Gedruckte Bücher |
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