Description:

William Osler
n.p., n.d.
William Osler Association, (3) Books: 1808 "The Morbid Anatomy of Some of the Most Important Parts of the Human Body"; 1849 German Anatomy Textbook; & 1909 "Clinical Memoranda for General Practitioners"
Books
A grouping of three 19th C. and 20th C. medical textbooks, all containing an ownership signature as "Dr Wm Osler," not guaranteed as his autograph but suggesting an association with Sir William Osler (1849-1919), the celebrated Canadian doctor often referred to as the Father of Modern Medicine. N.d., n.p. Together, the three books represent nearly 100 years of medical discourse, in both English and German! Two of the three books are associated with the Boston Medical Library Association and the Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. Individual condition issues are described below, but is overall very good. The largest book measures: 6" x 8.875" x 1.75."

The lot includes, in chronological order:

1. A hardcover copy of a medical textbook containing an ownership signature as "Dr Osler." Dr. Matthew Baillie, Second American Edition from the Third London Edition, Corrected, "The Morbid Anatomy of Some of the Most Important Parts of the Human Body" (Walpole, New Hampshire: Printed by G.W. Nichols for Thomas & Thomas, 1808). The full title page near the top edge is pencil-inscribed "Dr Osler"; to the right of this is pen-inscribed "John Fleiss 1841." With two blind-embossed stamps and at least one red hand-stamped seal from the "Boston Medical Library Association" located throughout. Rebound in sumptuous chestnut brown leather with gilt-embossed and black-paneled spine. Minor even toning, isolated foxing, and the occasional closed tear or loss to paper edges, else near fine. v-x including two prefaces and an advertisement from the First, Second, and Third Editions; 13-271. 5.375" x 8.75" x 1.25." 8vo.

Morbid anatomy pertains to the study of diseased tissues and organs. A plethora of maladies are described in this book, such as tumors, polyps, abscesses, ulcers, fungal infections, and more. The physical symptoms of these diseases (the constricting, hardening, changing in texture, or rupturing of organs) is also carefully outlined, as they proved vital to diagnosis. The study of abnormalities necessarily reveals much about health. The First American Edition was published in 1795; the First English Edition was published two years earlier, in 1793.

2. A hardcover copy of a German-language medical textbook containing an ownership signature as "Dr Wm Osler." Dr. Carl Ernst Bock, Second Enlarged Edition, "Lehrbuch der Pathologischen Anatomie und Diagnostik" ["Textbook of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostics"] (Leipzig: Georg Wigand's Verlag, 1849). The full title page near the top edge is pencil-inscribed "Dr Wm Osler." Original leather covers and a gilt-embossed spine. Both front and back covers are detached but included, and the spine shows minor surface loss due to shedding and flaking. The first few loose endpapers are toned, chipped, and detached but included. Expected minor and mostly even toning and isolated foxing within, else good to very good. v-xvi; 1-708; Index: 709-736. 6" x 8.875" x 1.75." 8vo.

In this exhaustive volume, Dr. Carl Ernst Bock (1809-1874), a German professor of anatomy at the University of Leipzig after 1845, expounded on such topics as: "Leichenerscheinungen - Äusseres des Leichnams - Missbildungen - Inneres des Leichnams" or, "Appearances of the Corpse - Exterior of the Corpse - Malformations - Interior of the Corpse"; as well as: "Diagnostisch-topographischer Teil (Nervensystem / Physikalische Diagnostik / Kopf / Rücken / Hals / Brust / Bauch / Becken / Extremitäten"; or, "Diagnostic-Topographical Part (Nervous System / Physical Diagnostics / Head / Back / Neck / Chest / Abdomen / Pelvis / Extremities." Dr. Bock's approach to scientific teaching and learning exploded the negative stereotype that doctors were aloof and esoteric. He advocated for a basic knowledge of anatomy and medicine for all; in addition to medical textbooks, he also produced articles in popular magazines.

3. A hardcover copy of a medical textbook containing an ownership signature as "Sir William Osler." Dr. Alexander Theodore Brand & Dr. John Robert Keith, "Clinical Memoranda for General Practitioners" (London: Ballière, Tindall and Cox, 1909). A bookplate from the "Charles Frick Library" is affixed to the front pastedown endpaper, with the donor identified in pen as "Sir William Osler." The title page is hand-stamped "Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland." Maroon cloth-covered boards and a gilt-embossed front cover and spine. Light toning else clean within, with minor wrinkles found in the upper gutter throughout. Negligible wear to the spine extremes, else with near pristine covers. v-x; 1-200; Index: 201-207; and with 4pp of publisher's advertisements found at the back. 5.125" x 7.5" x 1." 12mo.

This medical textbook was written "to be of service to general practitioners, and to help, especially, the junior commencing practice" - a sentiment of which Dr. Osler, a renowned teacher of medicine, would have approved. Divided into four sections, "Medical," "Surgical, "Obstetrical and Gynaecological," and "Therapeutical," the book provides an overview of various diseases and distempers, incorporating interesting patient case studies. Content relating to now obsolete treatment practices is especially interesting, if not a little jarring to modern day readers; consider, for instance, section headings entitled "Chloroform Sickness," "Differential Diagnosis of Syphilis and Tuberculosis of the Throat," and "Gersuny's Method of Prothesis by the Subcutaneous Injection of Paraffin," which entailed injected paraffin into collapsed or destroyed body parts. The book also discusses appendicitis, which was a relatively "new" disease in 1909, having been first diagnosed 30 years before. Lastly, the "Notes on Drugs" section reminds us that Quinine, Morphia, and Opium were go-to pharmaceuticals well into the early 20th C.

Dr. William Osler revolutionized the 19th C. study and practice of medicine by fundamentally changing how it was taught. Osler was one of the founding members of the Association of American Physicians and a founding professor of Johns Hopkins Hospital. One of the first doctors to lobby for residency training programs, Osler understood the importance of learning through hands-on experience, repetition, and practice. By emphasizing speaking to and listening to the patient, Osler advanced our understanding of pathology by underscoring the importance of medical history in positing a diagnosis. In this way, he also advocated for the most fundamental patient rights and reshaped the relationship between doctor and patient.

Osler's interest in teaching medicine inspired him to collect an enormous personal library of books related to medicine and the history of medicine. Osler willed his personal library to his alma mater, McGill University; the collection became the core of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine. The Charles Frick Collection of the Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland was established in 1896 in memory of Dr. Charles Frick (1823-1860), a Baltimore native and doctor who died of diphtheria.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: largest: 6" x 8.875" x 1.75"
  • Medium: Books

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000