Facets

1794

#8004

Demostracion de las eficaces virtudes nuevamente descubiertas en las raices de dos plantas de Nueva-España, especies de ágave y de begónia, para la curacion del vicio venéreo y escrofuloso ...

Balmis conducted experimental trials on the effectiveness of two Mexican plants, agave and begonia, which were believed, according to folk medicine practices in Mexico, to cure syphilis and scrofula. The trials confir…

1798

#8654

The influence of metallic tractors on the human body, in removing various painful inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatism, pleurisy, some gouty affections, &c. &c: Lately discovered by Dr. Perkins, of North America; and demonstrated in a series of experiments and observations....by which the importance of the discovery is fully ascertained, and a new field of enquiry opened in the modern science of Galvanism, or animal electricity

In 1795 Dr. Elisha Perkins (1741-1799) of Connecticut introduced the use of “Metallic Tractors” for the treatment of a wide range of disorders, including pains in the head, face, teeth, breast, side, stomach, back, rh…

1800

#7749

Of the imagination, as a cause and as a cure of disorders of the body; exemplified by fictitious tractors, and epidemical convulsions. Read to the Literary and Philosophical Society of Bath.

The first clinical demonstration of the placebo effect, specifically in the context of Perkins' metallic tractors. Haygarth demonstrated the placebo effect caused by the tractors by obtaining the same results with woo…

1801

#1838.2

The American herbal, or materia medica.

The first herbal both produced and printed in the United States, as opposed to those which were reprints of European works. Includes information on native American remedies. Digital facsimile from the Medical Heritage…

1803

#13026

A poetical petition against tractorising trumpery and the Perkinistic institution: In four cantos. Most respectfully addressed to the Royal College of Physicians.

This medical satire in doggerel verse, which was ostensibly an attack on Perkins' metallic tractors, or "Perkinism" was actually written in support of them. The work was best known for its second and greatly expanded …

1805 –1806

#2159.1

Remarks on the management of the scalped-head.

Treatment for the quintessential American war injury suffered by troops and settlers alike on the American frontier.

1813

#6975

Materia medica of Hindoostan, and artisan’s and agriculturist’s nomenclature.

The first book in English on the materia medica of India, and a pioneering work in the field of Indian medical history. Ainslie joined the British East India Company as an assistant surgeon in 1788 and spent the next …

1813

#13214

Kaitai hatsumo [Explanation of Human Anatomy]. 5 vols.

The first Japanese exposition of the whole system of human anatomy, based on original observation. The work includes the records of three dissections performed in Kyoto in 1783, 1798, and 1802. “A Japanese treatise on…

1813

#14178

Recherches historiques sur la médecine des chinois.

The first Western history of Chinese medicine. Lepage, a pupil of Pierre Sue, was a friend and colleague of pioneer sinologist Jean-Pierre Abel-Rémusat. In his medical thesis Lepage presented an overview of what was t…

1814

#9641

Botanic medicine: A new and complete American medical family herbal: Wherein is displayed the true properties and medical virtues of the plants, indigenous to the United States of America, together with Lewis' secret remedy newly discovered, which has been found infallible in the cure of that dreadful disease hydrophobia, produced by the bite of a mad dog.

Henry wrote that he had been a captive of the Indians during the Creek War and that he incorporated what he learned during his captivity. His work was one of the first illlustrated herbals published in the United Stat…

1816

#6374.13

Mémoires sur les maladies chroniques, les évacuations sanguines et l’acupuncture.

Berlioz, father of the composer, published the first French monograph on acupuncture. He had his best success with muscle and joint stiffness after falls, and rheumatic and arthritic states. Digital facsimile from Goo…

1817 –1820

#1842

American medical botany, being a collection of the native medicinal plants of the United States, containing their botanical history and chemical analysis, and properties and uses in medicine, diet and the arts. 3 vols.

Bigelow was professor of materia medica and botany at Harvard. This work included native American remedies. It was the first book printed in the United States to include color plates printed in color. See R.J. Wolfe, …

1821

#6374.14

A treatise on acupuncturation, being a description of a surgical operation originally peculiar to the Japonese and Chinese, and by them denominated zin-king, now introduced into European practice, with directions for its performance, and cases illustrating its success.

The first English monograph on acupuncture. Churchill had most success with rheumatic conditions, sciatica, back-pain, etc. Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link. The German translation of Churchill…

1822

#6988

New guide to health; or botanic family physician, containing a complete system of practice, upon a plan entirely new; with a description of the vegetables made use of, and directions for preparing and adminstering them to cure disease. To which is prefixed a narrative of the life and medical discoveries of the author.

The "Bible" of Thomsonism or "Thomsonian medicine", which employed botanical remedies, often based on native American medicines. Digital facsimile from the Medical Heritage Library, Internet Archive, at this link.

1822

#10751

A narrative of the life and medical discoveries of Samuel Thomson: Containing an account of his system of practice, and the manner of curing disease with vegetable medicine, upon a plan entirely new; to which is added an introduction to his New Guide to Health, or Botanic Family Physician containing the principles upon which the system is founded, with remarks on fevers, steaming, poison &c.

Thomson issued this introductory work shortly before publication of his New Guide. Three issues appeared in 1822: one with 180 pages, another with 182 pages including testimonials, and a 204 page issue with the introd…

1823

#8798

Manners and customs of several Indian tribes located west of the Mississippi; including some account of the soil, climate, and vegetable productions, and the Indian materia medica: to which is prefixed the history of the author's life during a residence of several years among them.

Hunter claimed that as a child he had been captured by the Cherokee before they came to Texas. He adopted the name of an English benefactor, John Dunn, and later added the name "Hunter" given by the Indians because of…

1825

#6374.16

Mémoires sur l’électro-puncture, considerée comme moyen nouveau de traiter efficacement la goutte, les rheumatisme et les affections nerveuses…

The first treatise on electro-puncture – the only significant Western contribution to acupuncture, and one of the most widely used methods of acupuncture today.

1825

#14163

Mémoire sur l'acupuncture, suivi d'une série d'observations recueillies sous les yeux de M. Jules Cloquet by M. Morand.

Little is known about Morand. He refers to his teacher, Jules Cloquet throughout. Cloquet's book on acupuncture was published the following year in 1826. (No. 6829). Digital facsimile of Morand's book from BnF Gallica…

1826

#6828

Cases illustrative of the remedial effects of acupuncturation.

The first original study of acupuncture published in North America, and one of the earliest American publications on the alleviation of pain. Franklin Bache, great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, was the first American…

1826

#6829

Traité de acupuncture, d'après les observations de M. Jules Cloquet. Édité par Dantu de Vannes.

As adjunct chief surgeon at the Hôpital St. Louis, Cloquet had an ample number of patients at his disposal, and he was able to test acupuncture on upwards of 300 cases with mostly beneficial results. Cloquet did not p…

1828 –1830

#1849

Medical flora; or, manual of the medical botany of the United States of North America. Containing a selection of above 100 figures and descriptions of medical plants, with their names, qualities, properties, history &c; and notes or remarks on nearly 500 equivalent substitutes. 2 vols.

Rafinesque was a great botanist, conchologist, archaeologist, and economist. Born in a suburb of Istanbul, he was also a world citizen and a prolific writer with 939 works to his credit. He died in extreme poverty in …

1829

#9450

Praktische waarnemingen over eenige Javaansche geneesmiddelen, welke niet alleen vele uitheemsche medicamenten, die thans nog van Europa naar Java moeten worden overgezonden, kunnen vervangen, maar dezelve ook tegen eenige ziekten op het eiland Java heerschende, in werkzaamheid overtreffen.

An early account of Jamu (old spelling Djamu), the traditional medicine of Indonesia, especially Java. "It is a predominantly herbal medicine made from natural materials, such as parts of plants such as roots, bark, f…

1831

#2977

Mémoire sur la piqûre ou l’acupuncture des artères dans le traitement des anévrismes.

First attempt at operative treatment of aneurysm.

1831

#9490

Iseki kō. (I Chi Kao). 8 vols.

A comprehensive annotated bibliography in Japanese of Chinese medical literature, including materia medica. The bibliography includes works for which the author had references, but could not locate copies. According t…

1836

#9524

The Indian vegetable family instructer: Containing the names and descriptions of all the most useful herbs and plants that grow in this country, with their medicinal qualities annexed; also, a treatise on many of the lingering diseases to which mankind are subject, ... with a large list of recipes, which have been carefully selected from Indian prescriptions ... Designed for the use of families in the United States.

1838

#10402

Botica general de los remedios esperimentados. Que á beneficio del público se reimprime por su original en Cadiz, en Sonoma, de la alta California: Por M. G. V.

The first medical book printed in California, a small 23-page pamphlet of folk or popular medicine. It was printed by Agustín V. Zamorano, the first printer in Alta California under Mexican rule before the region beca…

c. 1839

#10003

Deadly adulteration and slow poisoning unmasked; or, Disease and death in the pot and the bottle; in which the blood-empoisoning and life-destroying adulterations of wines, spirits, beer, bread, flour, tea, sugar, spices, cheese-mongery, pastry, confectionary medicines, &c. &c. &c. are laid open to the public, with tests or methods for the ascertaining and detecting the fraudulent and deleterious adulterations and the good and bad qualities of those articles: with an exposé of medical empiricism and imposture, quacks and quackery, regular and irregular, legitimate and illegitimate: and the frauds and mal-practices of the pawn-brokers and madhouse keepers. New edition

Digital facsimile from the Hathi Trust at this link.

1842

#4992.3

Satanic agency and mesmerism reviewed. In a Letter to the Rev. H. Mc. Neile A.M. of Liverpool: In reply to a sermon preached by him in St. Jude's Church, Liverpool, on Sunday, April 10th, 1842.

Braid’s scientific investigations of mesmerism convinced him that its effects did not depend on an outside force, but were natural phenomena arising from the subject’s heightened suggestibility. This 10-page pamphlet …

1842

#11260

Homoeópathy, and its kindred delusions; Two lectures delivered before the Boston Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1843 –1856

#9256

The Zoist: A journal of cerebral physiology & mesmerism, and their applications to human welfare. Edited by John Elliotson. 13 vols.

The most comprehensive source about British mesmerism of the period, and an invaluable reference for contemporary ideas and developments not only in mesmerism (hypnosis) but also in phrenology, neurology and psychiatr…

1844

#12695

On superstitions connected with the history and practice of medicine and surgery.

Digital facsimile from the Hathi Trust at this link.

1845

#10459

Des hallucinations, ou histoire raisonnée des apparitions, des visions, des songes, de l'extase, du magnétisme et du somnambulisme.

This study underwent at least three editions in French and also appeared in several English translations, the first of which appears to have been translated anonymously and publlished in Philadelphia in 1853 from the …

1847

#8545

Medical botany: or, Descriptions of the more important plants used in medicine, with their history, properties, and mode of administration.

The author intended to update and correct the earlier works on American materia medica by Barton, Bigelow and Rafinesque, and to make this information available at a reasonable price. Digital facsimile from the Biodiv…

1851

#13313

Quan ti xin lun [New Treatise Concerning the Whole Body.]

The earliest treatise on Western medicine published in Chinese for the use of Chinese medical staff. The work primarily concerns anatomy and physiology, with most illustrations derived from Cheselden's Anatomy of the …

1860

#8971

Colección de medicamentos indigenas y sus aplicaciones, estraidos de los reinos vegetal, mineral y animal, recogidos y anotados por [...], segunda edición corregida y aumentada.

Digital facsimile of the 5th edition (1875) from the National Library of Medicine, Internet Archive at this link.

1861

#3267

The breath of life; or mal-respiration, and its effects upon the enjoyments and life of man.

Catlin, the famous American artist, was the first in America to call attention to the bad effects of mouth-breathing. He based his book on observations of native American practices, and illustrated his book with humor…

1862

#2166.1

Notes on arrow wounds.

The definitive work on American Indian arrow wounds suffered by U. S. troops and settlers in frontier warfare during the Western expansion of the United States. Bill eventually developed a "Forceps for the Extraction …

1862

#9678

Notes on Chinese materia medica. Reprinted, with some corrections, from the Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions.

Reprinted, with continuous pagination, and index from the Pharmaceutical Journal for July and August, 1860, for November and December, 1861, and for February 1862. Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this l…

1862

#11625

An inquiry into the medicinal value of the excreta of reptiles, in phthisis and some other diseases.

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1863

#6492.2

La médecine chez les Chinois par Le capitaine P. Dabry. Ouvrage corrigé et précédé d’une préface par J. Léon Soubeiran.

The best account of Chinese medicine published in Europe during the 19th century, including translations from original Chinese medical texts. Dabry was French consul at Hang-Keou. Soubeiran, a pharmacist, edited his w…

1863

#10531

Geregtelijke geneeskunde, uit het Chineesch vertaald.

Translation into Dutch of the 13th century Chinese text on forensic medicine entitled Xiyuan lu jizheng huizuan. de Grijs's translation was retranslated into German by Henry Breitenstein as Gerichtliche Medizin der Ch…

1864 –1866

#6534

Leechdoms, wortcunning, and starcraft of early England. Being a collection of documents, for the most part never before printed, illustrating the history of science in this country before the Norman Conquest. Collected and edited by Oswald Cockayne. 3 vols.

This set contains many texts relating to medieval English medicine and the Anglo-Saxon language. It contains the Herbal of Apuleius in Anglo-Saxon and modern English, the Leechbook of Bald, the text of Sextus Placitus…

1866

#7378

Notes bibliographiques pour servir à l'histoire du magnétisme animal: Analyse de tous les livres, brochures, articles de journaux publiés sur le magnétisme animal, en France et à l'étranger, à partir de 1766 jusqu'en 1866.

Later issue: Paris: chez l'auteur, Joubert, 1869.

1867

#8210

Review of the history of medicine. 2 vols.

Vol. 1, Part 1: "Primitive period among the Asiatic nations," i.e. Hindus. Vol. 2, Part 1: "Ancient state of medicine among the Hindus (continued)". Part 1: "Review of the Buddhist systems of medicine." Part 3: "Revie…

1870

#10567

The religious system of the Amazulu. Izinyanga zokubula; or, divination, as existing among the Amazulu, in their own words, with a translation into English, and notes.

Callaway, a surgeon turned missionary and bishop of the Diocese of Natal, may have been the first to publish actual transcriptions of Zulu divination, including indigenous medical beliefs and practices, in their origi…

1871

#172

Primitive culture: Researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, art, and custom. 2 vols.

The standard work on primitive religion for many years. Tylor approached his subject from the point of view of psychology, exploring the nature of belief in spirits, omens, magic, etc. His work has important ties with…

1871

#9655

Contributions towards the materia medica & natural history of China for the use of medical missionaries & native medical students.

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1874

#10127

La matière médicale chez les chinois.

Digital facsimile from BnFGallica at this link.

1878 –1883

#7515

Les produits de la nature japonaise et chinoise: comprenant la dénomination, l'histoire et les applications aux arts, à l'industrie, à l'économie, à la médecine, etc. des substances qui dérivent des trois règnes de la nature et qui sont employées par les Japonais et les Chinois / Partie inorganique et minéralogique, contenant la description des minéraux et des substances qui dérivent du règne minéral.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1879

#11626

Traité des corps étrangers en chirurgie. Voies naturelles pharynx et oesophage - estomac - intestin - rectum - voies respiratoire - organes génito-urinaires de l'homme et de la femme conduit auditif - fosses nasales - conduits glandulaires. Avec figures dans le texte, desinées par H. Dauphin.

A comprehensive treatise on an astounding variety of foreign bodies that surgeons had recorded removing from various and sometimes amazing parts of the body. Digital facsimile of the 1879 edition from Google Books at …