Facets

1505

#11107

De gotta la preservation e cura.

The earliest separately printed treatise on gout by the physician/humanist grandfather of the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola. Giovanni Savonarola emphasized the dietary causes of gout, and the dangers of eating r…

1528

#1785

De compositionibus medicamentorum liber unus

Written in 47 CE, this is an important compilation of drugs and prescriptions. Among the 271 remedies are the first use of electrotherapy (for headaches) using the shock of the torpedo fish. and it records the drinkin…

1534

#4484.1

Ob das Podagra möglich zu generen oder nit. Nutzlich zu wissen allen denen, die damit behafft.

Abridged English translation by W. S. C. Copeman and M. Winder in Med. Hist., 1969, 13, 288-93, who write: "This small treatise contains a surprising amount of sound advice regarding the prevention and cure of the dis…

1541

#13142

Libellus de lacte, et operibus lactariis, philologus pariter ac medicus; cum Epistola ad Iacobum Avienum de montium admiratione.

The first book on Alpinism and mountaineering. Digital facsimile from the Hathi Trust at this link. English translation by H. B. D. Soulé as Conrad Gesner: On the admiration of mountains; the prefatory letter addresse…

1553

#4478.99

Libro de exercicio corporal y de sus provechos, por el qual cada uno podra entender que exercicio le sea necessario para conservar su salud.

The first separate book on exercise by a physician. Facsimile with English translation by Francisco Guerra as Book of bodily exercise, edited by Frederick G. Kilgour (New Haven: E. Licht, 1960).

1555

#13141

De raris et admirandis herbis, qvae sive qvod noctv luceant, siue alias ob causas, Lvnariae nominantur, Commentariolus : & obiter de alijs etiam rebus quae in tenebris lucent. Inseruntur & Icones quaedam herbarum nouae. Eivsdem descriptio Montis Fracti, siue Montis Pilati, iuxta Lucernam in Helvetia. His accedunt Io. Dv Chovl G. F. Lugdunensis, Pilati Montis in Gallia Descriptio. Io. Rhellicani Stockhornias, qua Stockhornus mons altissimus in Bernensium Helvetiorum agro, versibus Heroicis describitur.

Contains Gesner's second work on mountaineering, his description of the Riven Mountain, commonly called Mount Pilatus, Eivsdem descriptio Montis Fracti, siue Montis Pilati, iuxta Lucernam in Helvetia. Digital facsimil…

1567

#12711

De podagra libellus incerti auctoris e graeco in latinum conversus. [Edited and translated by Marcus Musurus]. IN: Medicae artis principes post Hippocratum et Galenum. Graeci Latinitate donati. 2 vols.

This Byzantine treatise on gout underwent several editions between the 16th and 18th centuries. The translator Musurus worked with Aldus Manutius in the preparation of several editiones principes. The translation, for…

1569

#1986.1

Artis gymnasticae apud antiquos celeberrimae, nostris temporibus ignoratae.

A history, based on extensive study of the classical literature, of the attitudes and practices of the Greeks and Romans concerning diet, hygiene, bathing, and exercise. This is one of the earliest books to discuss th…

1642

#4485

Liber de rheumatismo et pleuritide dorsale.

De Baillou is usually credited with introducing the term “rheumatism”. He was court physician in Paris at the time of Henri IV. His book, the first on rheumatism, was translated into English by C. C. Barnard in Brit. …

1664

#4485.1

Traité de la maladie vénérienne, de ses causes et des accidens provenans du mercure, ou vif-argent.

First to describe gonococcal arthritis.

1667

#9644

De vi percussionis liber.

Building on the theory of mechanics as formulated by Aristotle and Galileo, and countering objections expressed by Stephani degli Angeli among others, Borelli presented a completely mechanical account of the action of…

1671

#4512

Naturae genius, medicorum Celsus, Jason Argonautarum, Bauschius occubuit.

First authentic case of trigeminal neuralgia. It concerned J. L. Bausch, who died from the condition in 1665. The account is to be found in the unpaged part of the volume, starting at sig. d 3 and occupying the two fo…

1672

#1544

De anima brutorum

Chap. XIV is devoted to the sense of hearing; in it Willis described the “paracusis of Willis” (p. 73). English translation, 1683. A probable description of myasthenia gravis is given in Pars. 2, Cap. IX. In Pars 2, C…

1683

#4486

Tractatus de podagra et hydrope.

Of the many great works of Sydenham, this is considered his masterpiece. He clearly differentiated gout from rheumatism. For an English translation, see his Works, published by the Sydenham Society, 1850, 2, 123-84.

1693

#4298

Lettre écrite à Monsieur le Chevalier Guillaume de Waidegrave …contenant une dissertation physique sur la continuité de plusieurs os, à l’occasion d’une fabrique surprenante d’un tronc de squelette humain, où les vertebres, les côtes, l’os sacrum, & les os des iles, qui naturellement sont distincts & separés, ne font qu’un seul os continu & inseparable.

First description of ankylosing spondylitis. The British Museum copy of the title page of this work has been mutilated, apparently deliberately, in two places; the author’s surname may originally have appeared as “O’C…

1700

#2121

De morbis artificum diatriba.

Ramazzini's study of the diseases of workers, De morbis artificium diatriba, was the first comprehensive and systematic treatise on occupational medicine; it was also the foundation work in ergonomics. It deals with p…

1705

#1986.3

Medicina gymnastica; or, a treatise concerning the power of exercise.

The first English book on the power of exercise in treating disease. Fuller also recommended exercise for aid in the recovery from psychological and emotional disorders. In this he preceded Cheyne (No. 4840).

1720

#4487

Observations concerning the nature and due method of treating the gout.

1764

#4488

Podagra. In his Commentaria in Hermanni Boerhaave aphorismos de cognoscendis et curandis morbis, 4, 287-393

1771

#4489

A dissertation on the gout, and all chronic diseases, jointly considered, as proceeding from the same causes; what those causes are; and a rational and natural method of cure proposed.

This book excited great attention and ran through eight editions in one year. Cadogan’s advice on moderate exercise and moderation in drinking as a cure for gout caused much criticism.

1776

#4516

Of a painful affection of the face.

Original description of facial neuralgia. Reprinted in Med. Classics, 1940, 5, 100-06.

1780

#1987.4

Gymnastique médicinale et chirurgicale, ou essai sur l’utilité du mouvement, ou des différens exercices du corps, et du repos dans la cure des maladies.

The first book on therapeutic exercise as the term is understood today. English translation with facsimiles in reduced format of 18th century translations into German, Italian and Swedish, New Haven, [1964].

1782

#1835

Observations on the medical uses of the oleum jecoris aselli, or cod liver oil, in the chronic rheumatism, and other painful disorders.

First record of the clinical use of cod liver oil in England.

1784

#5645.91

A method of preventing or diminishing pain in several operations of surgery.

Moore revived the ancient concept of nerve compression, developing a special clamp for its use. John Hunter used Moore’s clamp in a leg amputation in 1784 in which analgesia was successfully obtained.

1791

#5833.2

Praktische Beobachtungen über verschiedene, vorzüglich aber über jene Augenkrankheiten, welche aus allgemeinen Krankheiten des Körpers entspringen.

“This is the first monograph ever published dealing with ocular signs of systemic disease. It deals with lacrimal fistulas, trichiasis, adhesions of the lids, lid ulcers, ephiphora, and ocular inflammations. He illust…

1794

#19

Aesclapiadis Bithyni fragmenta. Digessit et curavit Christianus Gottlieb Gumpert. Praefatus est Christian. Gothfridus Gruner.

After the fall of Corinth (146 BCE), Greek physicians migrated to Rome. There, before the advent of Asclepiades, Greek physicians were despised and distrusted. Asclepiades may be said to have established Greek medicin…

1797

#4287

On gouty and urinary concretions.

Wollaston showed that, in addition to stones consisting of uric acid, renal calculi might also consist of calcium phosphate, magnesium, ammonium phosphate, and calcium oxalate, or a mixture of these.

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

#4490

Doit-on admettre une nouvelle espèce de goutte sous la dénomination de goutte asthénique primitive? an VIII

Landré-Beauvais gave the first reasonably accurate description of rheumatoid arthritis.

1802

#2207

Commentarii de morborum historia et curatione.

Samuel Johnson called Heberden “the last of our learned physicians”. The above work included all his important papers, which had earned him his great reputation, and which are dealt with elsewhere in this database (se…

1805

#4492

A clinical history of diseases. Part first: being 1. A clinical history of the acute rheumatism. 2. A clinical history of the nodosity of the joints.

The first monograph on acute rheumatism.

1812

#2740

On rheumatism of the heart.

David Pitcairn is accredited with the first reference to rheumatism as a cause of cardiac disease, in a lecture given in 1788. Jenner read a paper on the same subject in 1789, but the first clinical report on the subj…

1813

#7543

Pedestrianism; or, An account of the performances of celebrated pedestrians during the last and present century : with a full narrative of Captain Barclay's public and private matches; and an essay on training.

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

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…

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

#9326

Traité des maladies des artisans, et de celles qui résultent des diverse professions, d'après Ramazzini; Ouvrage dans lequel on indique les précautions que doivent prendre, sous le rapport de la salubrité publique et particulière, les fabricans, les manufacturiers, les chefs d'ateliers, les artistes, et toutes les personnes qui exercent des professions insalubres.

This second French edition of Ramazzini's De morbis artificum diabriba by Philibert Patissier provides so much new material on the diseases of workers in France as to virtually double the length of Ramazzini’s text. D…

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…

1831

#4493

On a new practice in acute and chronic rheumatism.

First description of the neurotic spinal arthropathies.

1834

#1993

Gymnastikens allmänna grunder.

The foundation of modern gymnastics and therapeutic massage. Ling established the Swedish school of physiotherapy with his institute for training gymnastics teachers in Stockholm in 1813. He developed the ancient Gree…

1835

#10108

On the influence of atmosphere and locality; change of air and climate; seasons; food; clothing; bathing; exercise; sleep; corporeal and intellectual pursuits, &c. &c. on human health; constituting elements of hygiéne.

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1836

#604

Mechanik der menschlichen Gehwerkzeuge. 1 vol. and atlas.

A pioneering study of the physiology and biomechanics of motion and locomotion. The atlas contains four illustrations that were printed directly from actual bones embedded in plaster of Paris. This is one of the only …

1839 –1841

#4208

Traité des maladies des reins. 3 vols, and atlas.

Rayer insisted on the exhaustive analysis of the urine as an aid to the diagnosis of lesions. He classified “albuminus nephritis” into six distinct forms and distinguished these from other forms of nephritis associate…

1840

#4494

Traité clinique du rhumatisme articulaire.

Extension of Bouillaud’s work on the coincidence of heart disease and acute rheumatism. He regarded fever as the effect of endocarditis (see also No. 2749).

1841

#4526

Traité des néuralgies ou affections douloureuses des nerfs.

Includes (p. 40 et seq.) description of ”Valleix’s points”, tender points on the course of certain nerves in neuralgia.

1841

#1984

Des Asclepiades von Bithynien Gesundheitsvorschriften, nach den vorhandenen Handschriften zum ersten Male vollständig bearbeitet und erläutert. Von Robert Ritter von Welz.

The Greek physician Asclepiades acquired a great reputation in Rome. His remedies included change of diet, friction, bathing, and exercise. The above edition includes Greek, Latin, and German texts. Digital facsimile …

1843

#12749

Die rheumatische Schweile. Ein Beitrag zur Pathologie und Therapie des Rheumatismus.

Froriep described what would later be known as fibromyalgia, describing it as "rheumatism with painful, hard places" that could be felt in many locations on the body. He characterized the condition as muskelschwiele (…

1844

#63

Thomae Sydenham, M. D., Opera omnia. Edidit Gulielmus Alexander Greenhill.

Sydenham has been called the “Father of English Medicine”. His reputation rests on his first-hand accounts of such conditions as the malarial fevers of his times, gout, scarlatina, measles, etc. A better edition of th…